Prominent religious congregations have called on the Senate to immediately fulfill its constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, urging the chamber to ensure that the proceedings are transparent, truthful, impartial, and free from political maneuvering.
The Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines issued separate statements raising concern over recent developments in the Senate, including the abrupt leadership change and the sudden reappearance of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in the chamber after months of absence.
Both churches said these events came at a critical time, following the House of Representatives’ move to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial.
The religious groups also urged their members and the public to remain vigilant and prayerful amid the political uncertainty, while standing for truth, justice, and accountability.
“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,” the IFI said in a statement signed by its Obispo Maximo, the Most Rev. Joel Porlares.
Porlares said many Filipinos are questioning whether recent actions in the Senate could affect the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
“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,” he said.
“These questions touch the deeper issue of whether government officials remain faithful to their constitutional mandate and their moral responsibility before the people,” Porlares added.
The IFI stressed that public office should not be used to evade accountability.
“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,” Porlares 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.
Porlares also reminded public officials that leadership requires accountability and moral courage.
“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.
In a separate statement, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, through Prime Bishop Rev. Nestor Poltic, also called on the Senate to uphold its constitutional role.
The ECP said 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.”
“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.
Poltic expressed “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 added.
The ECP said the Senate must preserve impartiality, due process, and the rule of law, especially in proceedings with national significance.
“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,” Poltic said. “Democratic institutions must remain free from undue political pressure and partisan interests, especially during proceedings of national consequence such as an impeachment trial.”
Poltic said the church continues to pray for the country’s leaders and democratic institutions.
“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,” he said.