Terry Ridon Takes Over House Panel from Joseph Stephen Paduano; Quad-Comm 2.0 Leadership Complete

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has inherited in the 20th Congress the House panel left by 'Mr. Contempt', former Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano.

Ridon was named chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts during plenary session Wednesday, July 30. He was elected by Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino 'Nonoy' Libanan.

Incidentally, Ridon's designation as public accounts panel chairman completes the leadership of the 20th Congress iteration of the quad-committee (quad-comm).

Ridon's co-chairmen in the quad-comm are Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who chairs the Committee on Human Rights; Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety; and Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs.

Needless to say, Paduano made his mark during the many marathon hearings of the quad-comm during the 19th Congress.

Known for his no-nonsense style of interpellation and fiery demeanor, Paduano cited numerous resource persons for contempt, leading to their reprimand--or worse--detention at the House of Representatives.

Among the personalities cited for contempt by Paduano during the course of the hearings were POGO personalities Alice Guo and Cassandra Ong, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Wilkins Villanueva, and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Superintendent Gerardo Padilla.

The livestreamed quad-comm hearings typically draw hundreds of thousands--if not millions--of viewers. Paduano 'graduated' from the House afternoon serving his third consecutive term in the 19th Congress.

Ridon, a former student activist and staunch anti-corruption advocate, is widely regarded for his legal acumen and experience in government accountability.

His appointment strengthens the committee’s mandate to scrutinize financial and operational anomalies tied to abuses of power and public trust.

The reactivation of the quad-comm signals the 20th Congress' renewed commitment—under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez—to uncover unresolved cases of state-enabled violence, corruption and criminal impunity, many of which were first exposed during the 19th Congress.

According to the source: Manila Bulletin.