MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutor Terry Ridon on Friday denied accusations by Senator-Judge Robin Padilla that he questioned the participation of detained senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, describing the remarks as “absolutely fake news.”
Padilla earlier claimed that Ridon and fellow House prosecutor Leila de Lima had been criticizing detained senator-judges, including Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, by supposedly saying they should not be allowed to participate in the impeachment proceedings.
In a statement, Ridon said Padilla’s accusations had “no basis,” stressing that he had made no statement regarding the participation of detained senator-judges during the impeachment proceedings in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
He said that had Padilla reviewed his interviews and public statements, he would have known that he had not taken a position on the matter.
Ridon added that the issue of whether detained senator-judges may participate in the impeachment trial should be left to the Senate Impeachment Court and to the courts that have jurisdiction over the detained lawmakers.
“The remarks are without basis. They are absolutely fake news,” Ridon said.
Despite disputing Padilla’s statements, Ridon said the House prosecution panel continues to hold “the highest respect for the Senate Impeachment Court and our Honorable Senator-Judges, including Senator-Judge Padilla.”
