Manila — Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon declared on Sunday that the case involving Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds and unexplained wealth is “case closed” as far as the House impeachment proceedings are concerned, citing documentary evidence and findings from the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Ridon, who chairs the House Committee on Public Accounts, said that the evidence presented during hearings more than establishes probable cause against Duterte. 

“Tingin ko sapat sapat na, sobra sobra pa ito pong pagpapakita ng probable cause on unexplained wealth at magra-rise sa betrayal of public trust at culpable violation of the Constitution,” Ridon told ABS-CBN News. “Tapos na ‘yung usapan ng confidential funds misuse, tapos na ‘yung usapan sa unexplained wealth. Tingin ko may probable cause doon as dalawang bagay na iyon.”

The COA earlier issued notices of disallowance against Duterte’s office, covering ₱73.28 million in confidential funds spent in December 2022 and ₱375 million in 2023, citing irregularities such as unauthorized disbursements, lack of proper documentation, and questionable use of funds. State auditors ordered Duterte and several officials to return the amounts.

Meanwhile, the AMLC flagged ₱6.7 billion in covered and suspicious transactions from the accounts of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, between 2006 and 2025. Ridon emphasized that the defense team did not categorically deny the figures, only questioning their interpretation. “So hindi nila p’wede ganun pasimplehin po ‘yung bagay na ‘Ay hindi, total lang naman ‘yan.’ Sobrang linaw po ng inflow eh—₱4.4 billion. Kaya ang unang tanong, saan po galing ‘yun pong ₱4.4 billion na ’yun?” Ridon asked.

Ridon argued that the disparity between Duterte’s declared net worth of around ₱70 million in 2022 and the billions flagged in bank transactions is “deeply significant” and cannot be ignored. He said this gap, combined with COA’s findings, demonstrates a betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The final impeachment hearing is scheduled for April 29, where Ridon said the committee will formally establish probable cause. He stressed that the evidence already presented is sufficient to move the case forward.

This development intensifies the political pressure on Duterte, who has consistently denied wrongdoing but now faces mounting legal and political challenges as the impeachment process advances.