The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Clergy for Good Governance (CGG) have called on the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, warning against any attempt to delay or weaken the constitutional process.
A solon, meanwhile, expressed support for the separate statements issued by the bishops and clergy group, saying both underscored the same message: the impeachment process must move forward, and the evidence against Duterte must be heard.
“The CBCP and the Clergy for Good Governance are correct in reminding the Senate that this is no longer about politics or personalities, but about constitutional duty and accountability,” Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.
“The House has already fulfilled its mandate and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment. The next constitutional step is clear: the trial must proceed, the evidence must be heard, and the Filipino people deserve to see the truth come out through due process,” he added.
The party-list lawmaker said the House had already completed its constitutional responsibility after voting for Duterte’s impeachment and transmitting the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
“With the case now before the Senate, the message from our bishops and clergy is simple and direct — the constitutional process must not be delayed,” he said.
“Ang tanong ngayon ay simple. Magsisilbi ba ang Senado sa bayan, o poprotektahan nito ang kapangyarihan? Diyan masusukat ang kanilang integridad,” Acidre added.
In a statement, the CBCP emphasized the Senate’s constitutional obligation to act on the impeachment complaint after the House voted by more than the required one-third threshold to impeach the Vice President.
“The House of Representatives, heeding the overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino people and finding probable cause, has voted by far more than the requisite one-third of its membership to impeach the Vice President and, as directed by the Constitution, to forward the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial,” the CBCP said.
The bishops directly appealed to senators to fulfill their constitutional role and allow the impeachment proceedings to continue.
“We appeal to the Members of the Senate to abide by what the Constitution directs: to proceed with the trial and to decide the case against the Vice President by summoning witnesses, hearing testimony, and voting according to the evidence and, above all, the demands of righteousness and justice,” the statement read.
The CBCP also warned against any move that could be interpreted as an attempt to evade constitutional duties.
“We urge the Senators to avoid any act that may be perceived as evading their sworn duty or circumventing the requirements of the Constitution,” the bishops said.
The group further stressed the need for urgency in convening the Senate as an impeachment court.
“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,” the CBCP added.
The bishops also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and engaged throughout the impeachment proceedings.
“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 said.
Acidre likewise welcomed the statement issued by the Clergy for Good Governance, saying it reinforced the moral and institutional importance of allowing the impeachment process to proceed without obstruction.