Ridon fires back at Panelo over dismissal of impeachment witnesses

MANILA – Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, a House prosecutor in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, has challenged former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo's recent criticism of the prosecution's witnesses.

Ridon rejected Panelo's description of the witnesses as "worthless" and "useless," implying that Panelo's assessment may be incomplete due to his absence during portions of the proceedings. The lawmaker's remarks underscore the contentious nature of the ongoing impeachment trial and the disagreement over the credibility and relevance of testimony presented by the prosecution.

The exchange reflects broader divisions over the impeachment case, with supporters and critics of Vice President Duterte offering starkly different evaluations of the evidence presented. Ridon's defense of the prosecution witnesses comes as the trial continues to draw significant public and political attention.

Panelo, who served as President Rodrigo Duterte's legal counsel, has been an outspoken critic of the impeachment proceedings. His recent comments questioning the value of prosecution witnesses have prompted responses from those involved in presenting the case against the Vice President.