Members of the clergy offered a Holy Mass for the House impeachment prosecution team, urging prosecutors in the case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to present the evidence with courage, clarity, and fidelity to the truth.
The Mass was held at 9:00 a.m. at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao in Quezon City.
It was convened by Clergy for Good Governance as an act of solidarity with the prosecution team ahead of the July 6 impeachment trial.
Six public prosecutors attended the Mass, led by House Lead Prosecutor Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro. She was joined by House prosecutors Rep. Joel Chua, Rep. Leila de Lima, Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, and Rep. Ysabel Maria “Bel” Zamora.
Private prosecutor and veteran lawyer Lorna Kapunan also attended, along with other private prosecutors.
Fr. Bong Sarabia, CM, served as the main celebrant, while Msgr. Mel David of Parañaque delivered the homily.
Priest-complainants Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, Fr. Bong Sarabia, CM, Fr. Robert Reyes, and Fr. Joel Saballa joined the Mass, together with concelebrators Fr. Niño Etulle, SCJ, Fr. Choi Gliponeo, Fr. Raul “Puti” Enriquez, and Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ.
In his homily, David framed the July 6 trial as a moment of national reckoning.
“The Filipino people are looking up to July 6 as an opportunity for the whole Filipino people to rise up and walk,” David said.
Addressing the public and private prosecutors, David said their task went beyond courtroom argument.
He said they carried the burden of helping the country confront the truth after years of public frustration over the misuse of funds, questionable budget practices, and patronage-driven anti-poverty programs.
David cited the Catholic bishops’ warning on “the scandalous misuse of public funds and resources,” as well as “questionable insertions, cuts, and adjustments in the national budget,” which he said remained clear to the Filipino people.
He likened the prosecutors’ role to clearing murky water so that the hidden truth could finally be seen.
“Hahalukayin ninyo nang sa gayon ang katotohanan ay tuluyang lumabas at makita ng sambayanang Pilipino ang katotohanan,” David said.
David urged the prosecutors to draw strength not from power, position, or public applause, but from faith and conscience.
“You have to take courage, not from human society, but from God,” he said.
He added that the task required more than legal skill.
“You need wisdom that is not mastered by the knowledge you have, but rather by the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” David said.
David also expressed hope that a clear and truthful presentation of evidence would move senator-judges to decide according to truth.
“In presenting the truth, I do believe many of our senator judges will finally be convinced and vote for the truth,” David said.