2 major religious groups call on Senate to convene Senate impeachment court now

PROMINENT religious congregations have separately called on the Senate to carry out its constitutional duty to convene at once an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte, and to conduct the proceedings in a transparent, truthful and impartial manner free from any political maneuvering or deliberate obstruction.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) made this appeal to our senators in their separate statements, both expressing concern over the abrupt leadership change in the Senate along with the sudden appearance in the chamber of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa—after being absent for six months—at the time that the House of Representatives had voted to impeach the Vice President and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial.

Both congregations encouraged their respective flocks as well as other Filipino citizens to remain vigilant and prayerful amid the political uncertainty and to stand firmly for truth and justice while at the same time rejecting actions that sow division and weaken public institutions.

“Recent developments and sudden changes in Senate leadership have unsettled many of our people, giving rise to a growing and understandable concern that these moves may be intended to weaken accountability processes or shield public officials from scrutiny,” said IFI, in a statement signed by its Obispo Maximo, the Most Rev. Joel Porlares.

Porlares said that, “Many now sincerely ask why the Senate appears to be acting in ways that could derail the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President while at the same time offering shelter to a fellow Senator facing possible legal accountability.”

“These questions touch the deeper issue of whether government officials remain faithful to their constitutional mandate and their moral responsibility before the people,” he said.

“As a Church, we hold that public office is a trust and not a shield from accountability. The Senate is not called to protect personalities or political alliances but to uphold truth, justice, and the rule of law. When institutions entrusted with accountability begin to appear as barriers to it, the moral credibility of governance is eroded,” Pollards said.

“We therefore earnestly call upon the Senate to carry out its constitutional duties with integrity, transparency, and courage. The impeachment process must proceed according to law and due process, free from political maneuvering or deliberate obstruction. Likewise, all legal processes related to the anti-drug campaign must be allowed to move forward without undue interference or selective protection,” he added.

Pollards said the Senate must “carry out its constitutional duties with integrity, transparency and courage. The impeachment process must proceed according to law and due process, free from political maneuvering or deliberate obstruction. Likewise, all legal processes related to the anti-drug campaign must be allowed to move forward without undue interference or selective protection.”

“We call upon all government officials to remember that authority is exercised under the higher demands of justice, truth, and accountability—before both the people and God. Leadership requires moral courage, especially when it is difficult or politically costly,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the statement signed by its Prime Bishop Rev. Nestor Poltic, ECP told the Senate that it is “not called to protect personalities or political alliances, but to uphold truth, justice, and the rule of law. When institutions entrusted with accountability begin to appear as barriers to it, the moral credibility of governance is eroded.”

“We therefore earnestly call upon the Senate to carry out its constitutional duties with integrity, transparency, and courage. The impeachment process must proceed according to law and due process, free from political maneuvering or deliberate obstruction,” Poltic said.

He expressed “its profound concern over the recent and abrupt changes in Senate leadership, as well as the politically motivated reappearance of Senator Dela Rosa after six months of absence due to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC. These developments come at a critical moment in our nation’s democratic life, particularly amid the ongoing impeachment proceedings.””

“As a Church committed to the principles of truth, justice, accountability, and the sanctity of democratic institutions, we view these developments with grave apprehension. Actions that appear politically motivated and disruptive to institutional stability risk weakening public trust in one of the highest constitutional bodies of our Republic,” he said.

“At a time when the nation calls for sober leadership, integrity, and fidelity to democratic processes, sudden political maneuverings within the Senate only deepen uncertainty and erode confidence in governance,” Poltic said.

“The Senate bears a solemn constitutional duty to uphold impartiality, due process, and the rule of law. Any act that undermines these responsibilities weakens the democratic foundations upon which our nation stands,” he said. “Democratic institutions must remain free from undue political pressure and partisan interests, especially during proceedings of national consequence such as an impeachment trial.”

In this challenging time, “we pray that Almighty God will grant wisdom to our nation’s leaders, strengthen our democratic institutions, and guide our country toward peace, justice, and unity,” Poltic said.