Ridon takes swipe at 'maleta' claims, opens suitcase containing wigs, mangoes

House Impeachment Prosecutor Representative Terry Ridon on Saturday mocked claims made by the so-called “18 Marines,” who alleged that he received money in suitcases, by showing a piece of luggage containing only wigs and mangoes.

“Para tapusin na ‘yong kasinungalingan sa maleta, meron po tayong dalang maleta ngayong araw po na ito. Hindi po lahat ng maleta, may pera. ‘Yong iba po may mangga at peluka,” Ridon said at a news forum in Quezon City.

(To end the lies about the suitcase issue, I brought a suitcase today. Not all suitcases contain money. Others contain mangoes and wigs.)

The Bicol Saro Partylist lawmaker was among the personalities named by the supposed former members of the Philippine Marines as among those whom they delivered money in suitcases.

WATCH: House Impeachment Prosecution Panel member Rep. Terry Ridon opens a luggage containing mangoes and wigs as he stated that the lower chamber will not be deterred by the allegations of so-called 18 Marines. pic.twitter.com/6EuKVSc0Xd

Ridon again denied the allegations, saying the House Prosecution Team will not be deterred by the claims.

“Kahit kailan, kahit saang panahon, kahit saan mang lugar, wala po akong natanggap na maleta,” the lawmaker said.

(I have never, at any point, received a suitcase—regardless of the time or place.)

“The House and the House Prosecution Panel will not be deterred. Hindi kami magpapapgil sa mga kasinungalingan at mga fabricated testimonies ng kung sinoman,” he said.

(We will not be stopped by lies and fabricated testimonies by anyone.)

He also challenged the so-called “18 Marines” to repeat their allegations at a Blue Ribbon committee hearing to be led by Senator Erwin Tulfo on Monday, June 8.

“If they can subject themselves to congressional scrutiny under an official proceeding like what will happen on Monday, then doon ho natin na mate-test kung talaga ho bang may kredibilidad ‘yung kanila pong sinasabi at hindi po sila nagsisinungaling. Pag hindi po sila sumipot doon, eh malinaw na malinaw. Wala hong kredibilidad, purong kasinungalingan po yung ginawa po noong nagdaang pagpupulong,” the lawmaker said.

(If they are willing to subject themselves to congressional scrutiny under an official proceeding like what will happen on Monday, then that is where we can test whether their claims are truly credible and whether they are telling the truth. If they fail to appear, then it will be very clear. They have no credibility, and what they did during the previous meeting was nothing but lies.)

The congressman said his name did not appear in the first affidavit e