Ridon: Undeclared firearms new evidence in Sara Duterte impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines — Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said on Tuesday that new evidence in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case will include firearms worth millions that she failed to disclose in her net worth statements.

In an interview, he said Duterte omitted about 30 “short and long” firearms from her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) estimated to be worth millions, as the House prosecution team seeks an expert appraisal to determine their actual worth.

“We will get the list from the PNP Firearms Division on each and every firearm that is registered in the name of the vice president and her husband,” Ridon, who leads the team handling the unexplained wealth accusations against Duterte, told the Inquirer.

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“All of the firearms were never declared in any SALN, in any year,” he added.

READ: Ridon: New impeachment evidence targets Sara Duterte wealth

Last week, Ridon disclosed that the House prosecution panel gathered new evidence for Duterte’s trial, material not revealed during the “clarificatory hearings” held by the House justice committee in April.

“The non‑disclosure of firearms ownership is a serious matter, not only because of its value but also because of the type of property left undeclared,” he said in Filipino.

“While firearms ownership is not prohibited, it is a highly regulated form of property that should be declared in the SALN,” he added.

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Ridon said Duterte’s failure to disclose the firearms in her SALNs may suggest she holds additional hidden assets.

“If you have a stash of at least 30 firearms, which you know are a regulated class of properties, it is not far‑fetched that there may also be unregulated properties not listed in the vice president’s SALN,” he said.

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Duterte, 48, faces accusations of corruption and constitutional violations in the articles of impeachment that the House transmitted to the Senate on May 11 after an overwhelming vote. She was indicted of the following:

• Culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust through the alleged systematic misuse, misappropriation, and irregular use of confidential funds amounting to P500 million under the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million under the Department of Education;

• Culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for allegedly amassing unexplained wealth manifestly disproportionate to her lawful income and earnings during her incumbency as a public official, and for failing to disclose all assets in her statements of net worth for 2022, 2023, and 2024;

• Bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust for allegedly giving monetary gifts or payments to Department of Education officials to induce violations of and circumvent procurement and related laws;

• Culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust for allegedly contracting the assassination of the president, the first lady, and the former House speaker, making grave threats, and actively inciting sedition against the Republic. /das

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