'Marami Pang Makakalkal': Ridon Says VP Sara's Bank Records, BIR Documents Will Unearth New Evidence in Impeachment Trial

In a recent ANC 24/7 report, House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon laid out what could be the next explosive phase of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte: the opening of her bank accounts and tax records. For ordinary Filipinos watching from their living rooms in Quezon City or their sari-sari stores in Cebu, this is not just political theater — it is about whether public money meant for flood control and education actually reached the people who needed it most.

'Marami Pang Makakalkal': Ridon Says VP Sara's Bank Records, BIR Documents Will Unearth New Evidence in Impeachment Trial

Manila, Philippines – Monday — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumed today after two consecutive sessions were canceled due to the relentless Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, that has submerged parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. As the nation grapples with flooding, the Senate impeachment court is now turning its attention to the Vice President's finances, with House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list signaling that the most damning evidence is yet to come.

The BIR Records and Bank Accounts: What Remains Hidden

In his forum remarks on August 22, Ridon made it clear that the public has only seen the tip of the iceberg. "Ang hindi na lang natin nakikita siyempre yung BIR disclosures at yung mga bank accounts. I'm certain pagka binuksan yung BIR, binuksan yung bank accounts, tingin ko marami pa tayong makakalkal diyan sa bagay na iyan," he said. Translated, this means: What we have not yet seen are the BIR disclosures and the bank accounts. Once those are opened, there is still much more to dig up.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) already handed over the tax records of Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, to the Senate impeachment court on July 30, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s authorization for their release. The House Committee on Justice had earlier found probable cause for an article of impeachment alleging unexplained wealth. Ridon emphasized that the BIR documentation, income tax returns of the Vice President, her husband, and their companies will be presented at trial — evidence the public has never seen.

No one has yet seen the actual contents of the bank accounts of the Vice President and her husband. On July 20, the Senate impeachment court ordered the production of peso-denominated bank records of Duterte, Carpio, their joint accounts, the Carpio Lawyers law firm, and 19 corporate entities with established prima facie links to the respondent. This is a sweeping order that could reveal financial transactions previously hidden from public scrutiny.

New Evidence, New Articles: The Unexplained Wealth Charge

Ridon was emphatic that this article of impeachment is different. "Ito yung artikulo na talagang may mga bagong bagong ebidensiya," he said — this is the article with genuinely new evidence. The unexplained wealth charge is not just about the P500 million in confidential funds or the P112.5 million allocated to DepEd during Duterte's tenure as education secretary. It is about a pattern of financial behavior that prosecutors believe will be exposed once the bank records are laid bare.

For Filipino taxpayers, this matters deeply. Every peso that goes into confidential funds is a peso that could have built a classroom in Davao del Norte or provided medical assistance to a family in Leyte. The question of whether the Vice President and her husband accumulated wealth beyond their declared income is not just a legal matter — it is a moral one that goes to the heart of public accountability.

Day 17: Gina Acosta Returns, Breaks Down on the Stand

The trial resumed on Monday with 17 senators serving as senator-judges, presided over by Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Chiz Escudero. Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, declared a hostile witness for Article I, returned to the witness stand. Acosta testified that she released P500 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023 to former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group chief Colonel Raymund Lachica, allegedly upon Duterte's orders.

The emotional weight of the proceedings became evident when Senator-Judge Imee Marcos asked Acosta about her husband's health — he is undergoing treatment in Davao. Acosta broke down in tears, a human moment in a trial that has been dominated by numbers and receipts. This is the reality of the people caught in the middle of this political storm: they are not just witnesses, they are human beings with families, fears, and loyalties.

Fake Names, Real Questions: 'Mary Grace Piattos' and 'Antonio Pagong'

Senator Risa Hontiveros zeroed in on an acknowledgment receipt bearing the name "Clarisse Hontiveros" dated February 24, 2023 — coincidentally the senator's birthday. Acosta said she relied on former OVP security officer Col. Raymund Lachica for the documents. But the strangeness did not end there. More unusual names surfaced on acknowledgment receipts: "Antonio Pagong," "Timon Andrew Pusa," "Don Piang," "May Pamana," "Shane Ngitngit," "Xuniso Belat," and "Mary Grace Piattos."

Senator Raffy Tulfo asked Acosta directly whether she considers herself "smart, average, or stupid." She answered "average." Tulfo then pressed her on why she did not find it unusual to see aliases like "Belat," "Pagong," and "Pusa" in confidential fund documents. Acosta maintained that she relied on documents from the security officer, who told her the information was sensitive and confidential. For the average Filipino, the idea that government funds were released based on receipts signed with names like "Mary Grace Piattos" is not just absurd — it is an insult to every taxpayer who diligently files their BIR returns.

Accountability and Trust: Senators Press Acosta on Fiduciary Duty

Senator Kiko Pangilinan asked Acosta about her responsibility over the P125 million after disbursing it to Lachica. Acosta admitted she remained an accountable officer. Senator Win Gatchalian asked how she ensured the funds were not pocketed; Acosta said she trusted Lachica as the designated security officer. Senator Ping Lacson stressed Acosta's fiduciary responsibility as SDO, noting there were instances when funds were directly released to Lachica.

Senator Tito Sotto asked about activities in 132 locations listed in the utilization report. Senator Zubiri asked the most pointed question: "Di kayo natakot?" (Weren't you afraid?) Acosta answered, "Nag-trust ako kay Lachica kasi nag-trust si VP Sara" (I trusted Lachica because VP Sara trusted him). She also revealed that Vice President Sara Duterte provided her a lawyer amid the cases over OVP confidential funds.

The defense began its cross-examination of Acosta, and the court struck from the record a question by private prosecutor Amando Ligutan asking whether the OVP's spending could be considered a "scam." Defense counsel Atty. Lindo Bacquel objected, and Escudero agreed, ordering Ligutan to rephrase. The trial adjourned after Day 17 proceedings, with former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda excused from testifying after reportedly suffering a stroke. He was confined in the ICU for observation and has since been transferred to a regular room. The court directed Senate Medical and Dental Bureau head Dr. Sison to examine him.

The 'Maleta Boys' Recantations: Lies, Political Operatives, and Doubt

In recent days, four of 18 former security aides who had executed affidavits concerning alleged cash deliveries linked to former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co have publicly withdrawn their statements. Retired Marine Orly Guteza separately recanted an earlier account involving former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Co. Ridon said the reversals cast substantial doubt on the earlier accusations and warrant closer examination of whether the allegations were concocted and who may have organized or induced them.

"It is not just the former Marines, 'maleta boys,' who were involved in this slander, but actual political operatives na talagang ginamit sila para dito sa bagay na ito," Ridon said — actual political operatives used them. Reports say Guteza's new affidavit alleged that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former Rep. Mike Defensor influenced the preparation of his earlier testimony. Those allegations remain unproven. Ridon said he had not filed a complaint but recommended House colleagues consider legal remedies and investigate who allegedly recruited, assisted, or directed the affiants.

Flood Control Corruption: A Parallel Probe That Hits Home

Ridon has also been vocal about the need to investigate the alleged misuse of flood control funds, a separate congressional probe running alongside the impeachment trial. For a nation that just canceled two trial sessions due to Habagat flooding, this is not an abstract issue. Flood control projects are supposed to protect communities in Marikina, Pampanga, and Cagayan de Oro from the very devastation we are witnessing. If those funds were diverted, the consequences are measured in submerged homes and lost lives.

The prosecution targets end-September to finish presenting its own evidence. Ridon says former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda will also be a hostile witness for the prosecution. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will testify next on the VP's confidential funds, citing claims that signatures were forged — "Pineke ang pirma." Ridon rejected the claim of a "predetermined narrative" by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, the Vice President's older brother. He said evidence, not politics, will decide the case, and Duterte and her lawyers have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution's evidence.

What This Means for the Filipino People

This trial is not just about one family or one political dynasty. It is about whether the institutions of the Philippine government — the Senate, the BIR, the NBI, the PSA — can hold powerful officials accountable. It is about whether a barangay captain in Iloilo who accounts for every peso of the barangay budget should expect the same from the Office of the Vice President. It is about whether the rule of law applies equally to everyone, from the smallest sari-sari store owner to the highest official in the land.

Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa denied as "fake news" reports that Duterte wants to speak with President Marcos Jr. The trial will continue, and the evidence will be presented. For now, the Filipino people watch, wait, and hope that the truth — whatever it may be — will finally come to light.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on sources cited in the article.