CATHOLIC bishops and church leaders under Caritas Philippines on Sunday publicly urged the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, warning that any delay would undermine the rule of law and delay justice for the Filipino people.
In a statement signed by 165 bishops, priests, and church leaders nationwide, members of the Caritas Philippines Social Action Network backed the call of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty and convene as an impeachment court without delay.
“We appeal to the Members of the Senate to abide by what the Constitution directs: to proceed with the trial and . . . adhere to the rule of law and serve the common good in the pursuit of justice and truth,” the statement said.
“We make this urgent appeal to not delay the trial and to convene the Senate as an impeachment court at the soonest possible time. To delay the trial is to delay justice for both the Filipino people and the Vice President,” it added.
Caritas Philippines is the social action arm of the CBCP and serves as the Church’s nationwide network for humanitarian, justice and social advocacy programs.
The statement was led by Caritas Philippines president Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza and signed by dozens of bishops and clergy from dioceses and archdioceses across the country, including Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy, Novaliches Bishop Roberto Gaa, and Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara.
The Catholic leaders said recent developments in the Senate made it “more important” for Filipinos to remain vigilant in safeguarding democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law.
“To our fellow Filipinos, let us fulfill our civic duties and responsibilities by ensuring a fair and credible trial so that all may see and hear clear, verified evidence and arguments,” the statement read.
“We must also remain vigilant in monitoring the proceedings. In this way, we uphold the truth, safeguard the integrity of public discourse, and strengthen our nation against misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation,” it added.
The group also called on Filipinos, regardless of religion or political affiliation, to peacefully organize activities in support of truth, justice and democratic accountability.
The statement linked the impeachment issue to broader national concerns, including the alleged flood control corruption scandal, the International Criminal Court’s drug war investigation, the push for an anti-political dynasty law, and the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.
“We have been going through many challenges and crises the past years,” the statement read, quoting the late Pope Francis: “To come out better from a crisis, we must see clearly, choose well, and act right.”
The church leaders likewise urged Filipinos to reject “division, deception, hatred, and indifference” and instead become “a people formed by truth, guided by conscience, and united in love of God and country.”
