THE Bible Believers League for Morality and Democracy (BIBLEMODE) International has urged the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the chamber must uphold constitutional accountability over political expediency.
“Finding probable cause, the House Committee on Justice sent its report and recommendation on the impeachment complaints against the Vice President of the Republic to the plenary, which cast an unexpected overwhelming vote to impeach the Vice President way beyond the constitutional requirement,” BIBLEMODE stated.
“This echoed the general sentiment of the Filipino people on the accountability of the vice president, like any other public officer and employee,” the group added.
BIBLEMODE issued the statement, which was also furnished to Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III through a May 19 letter from Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., President of BIBLEMODE and an endorser of the 4th impeachment complaint. Abante is also a Baptist bishop.
Those who signed the statement include BIBLEMODE Officers Dr. Pio S. Tica, Vice-President for External Affairs of the Malabon Bible Baptist Church in Malabon City;
Dr. Reuben M. Abante, Secretary-General/Treasurer of the Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church
In Tatalon, Quezon City; Pastor Joey Sauco, Vice-President for Internal Affairs of BBC Pasay
Malibay in Pasay City; and Atty. Henry Domingo, Sr., Press Relations & Legal Officer of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Ekklesia in Sta. Ana, Manila; and Board Members Pastor Emerson Cruz of the Bible Baptist Temple in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Pastor Bert Chan
of the BBC Hagonoy Bulacan; Pastor Jimbo Cortes of the Mabolo BBC Mabolo, Cebu City;
Pastor Ferdinand Escala of the Lighthouse Bible Baptist Mission in Cainta City, Rizal; Pastor Provy Cadelina of the Hosanna BBC in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte; and Pastor Emmanuel Prado of the Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church in Camarines Sur.
The House of Representatives voted 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte and transmit the case to the Senate for trial, while the Senate later convened as an impeachment court amid high political tension over the case.
“The House has done its job wonderfully. Now, the Senate must do its constitutionally-mandated job,” BIBLEMODE stated
“It is now for the Senate to hear and decide this case on the merits,” it added.
“As human law mandates that cases should be decided impartially based on the facts established by the evidence and not on public opinions or perceptions; applicable laws; and jurisprudence, in faithful adherence to the Constitution and without pressure or influence,” the group continued.
Duterte faces allegations involving misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other officials, allegations she has denied while assailing the proceedings as politically motivated.
BIBLEMODE said the Senate should act with dispatch because the nation and the public are waiting for the constitutional accountability process to proceed.
“We humbly urge the Senate to act with dispatch because, as the legal maxim and principle say, justice delayed is justice denied,” BIBLEMODE stated.
The group said the Senate must rise above personal or political considerations and serve as an instrument for giving effect to constitutional declarations on accountability, integrity, and public trust.
“We respectfully appeal to the Senate to act immediately and rise above personal, political or other consideration,” BIBLEMODE urged.
“It must now allow itself as an active and direct instrument in giving full meaning to the above-mentioned constitutional declarations, particularly against graft and corruption, and the accountability of every public officer and employee,” the group added.
BIBLEMODE warned that any attempt to avoid the constitutional task would undermine public trust in institutions at a time when confidence in democratic processes is already being tested.
“We urge the Senate to act with integrity without delay or maneuvering,” BIBLEMODE stressed.
“At this moment in our life as a nation, our democratic processes and institutions hang in the balance and any attempt to shy away from this constitutional duty is in itself a betrayal of public trust that would further erode trust and confidence in such processes and institutions,” the group added.
The group said the Senate should fulfill its duty without delay or excuse, especially because the matter concerns the constitutional process for holding high public officials accountable.
“Without delay, without excuse, the Senate must fulfill its solemn constitutional duty, disregarding political barriers and political expediency,” BIBLEMODE said.
“We urge the Senate, in the name of truth and justice, to avoid any act that may be perceived as evading their sworn duty or circumventing the constitutional requirements.”
Citing the Constitution, BIBLEMODE reminded public officials that public office is a public trust and that the State is mandated to maintain honesty and integrity in public service.
“Corollary hereto, our Constitution declares that the State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption,” BIBLEMODE expressed.
“And that public office is a public trust, and public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives,” the group further explained.
The group lamented that dishonesty and corruption continue to affect government despite constitutional provisions and existing laws against plunder, graft, corrupt practices and malversation of public funds.
“Despite this injunction of the Holy Writ and these unequivocal constitutional declarations and our existing laws on plunder, graft and corrupt practices, and malversation of public funds, dishonesty and corruption continue to rock the government, even involving high government officials,” BIBLEMODE stated.
BIBLEMODE said justice must be applied impartially, warning against favoritism toward either the poor or the powerful in matters of judgment.
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor; nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour,” the group quoted from Leviticus.
“Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s,” it also quoted from Deuteronomy.
