Ridon: Malicious prosecution rap vs Sara Duterte husband ‘on the table’

Rep. Terry Ridon. Screengrab from House of Representatives/Facebook MANILA, Philippines — House impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Thursday that lawmakers may file a malicious prosecution case against Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, following the dismissal of Carpio’s complaint against them. Ridon said the possible legal action would be discussed with his colleagues before any decision is made. “So, ’yung usapin po ng malicious prosecution, pag-usapan ho namin if kailangan ba naming kasuhan pa si Atty. Mans Carpio dito sa bagay po na ito (we will discuss the issue of malicious prosecution and whether we need to file a case against Atty. Mans Carpio over this matter),” Ridon said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Ridon, Diokno to present evidence on alleged Duterte unexplained wealth “But I think at this point, that is on the table,” he added. Ridon said he would first consult the other lawmakers involved. “Well, I have to talk to the other colleagues, no? Kung ano ho ’yung pagtingin nila sa bagay po na ito (to hear their views on this matter),” he said. READ: Abante: Sara Duterte self-incrimination plea could raise questions Article continues after this advertisement “Pero I think very clear ho na walang batayan, basura, panggulo itong kaso na ito (But I think it is very clear that this case has no basis, is baseless and is merely disruptive),” he added. Carpio filed the complaint after financial records belonging to him and Duterte were discussed during the House Committee on Justice proceedings on the impeachment complaints against the Vice President. Article continues after this advertisement He accused Ridon and several other lawmakers and government officials of violating the Bank Secrecy Law, Data Privacy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act in connection with the disclosure and handling of the records. The lawmakers were among those who took part in the committee proceedings where the financial documents were discussed. Ridon said Carpio’s complaint even sought to hold lawmakers liable for failing to object to a motion involving the records. He maintained that the lawmakers were acting within the scope of their official legislative duties. “Kasi ang gampanin naman ho namin dito sa House Justice Committee proceeding ay actual na trabaho ng mambabatas (because our role in the House Justice Committee proceedings was part of the actual work of lawmakers),” Ridon said. “And again, saan ho kayo nakakita ng gustong ipakulong, gustong sampahan ng kaso dahil hindi nag-object sa isang motion? (And again, where have you seen someone being sought to be jailed or charged simply for failing to object to a motion?) Ngayon lang ho talaga kami nakarinig, nakakita ng ganoon pong kaso (This is really the first time we have heard of or seen such a case),” he added. The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed Carpio’s complaint without prejudice on jurisdictional grounds, saying the matter should have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman. Carpio’s camp has said the dismissal was not a ruling on the merits of his allegations and that he could refile the complaint with the Ombudsman. Ridon, however, maintained that the complaint had no basis regardless of where it was filed. “But again, irrespective of venue, whether Ombudsman or sa piskalya po (whether before the Ombudsman or the prosecutor’s office), tingin po namin no basis (we believe there is no basis),” he said. Ridon also challenged Carpio to pursue the complaint before the Ombudsman, saying he was confident it would be dismissed again. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “Well, we challenge them to file it again at the Office of the Ombudsman, and I’m quite certain that will still be junked,” Ridon said.