MANILA (UCAN): Responding to the Philippine Senate’s failure to pass the motion with articles required to impeach vice president, Sara Duterte, on June 10, Catholic leaders joined activists in criticising the Sentate for dragging its feet.
Duterte is accused of misuse of public funds and corruption.
“It is imperative that the impeachment process continues. Elected officials must not run roughshod over the people’s desire for truth, justice, and accountability,” said One Faith, One Nation, One Voice, a coalition of religious groups in a statement on June 11.
Among the group’s members are Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic vicar of Tatay in Palawan province, and Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos.
“Let no corner be cut, let no stone be left unturned, let every credible witness and relevant evidence be presented,” the group said.
The group urged that the essentiality of transparency be ensured. “If not, the betrayal of public trust will become layers deep.”
Bishop Alberto Uy of Tagbilaran, said that “calling for the trial to move forward is not a judgment against the vice president, but a call for the truth to be discerned in the light of justice.”
The bishop stressed, “It must be driven not by the desire to destroy a person, but by the commitment to build a nation where no one is above the law.”
Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. of Cubao, pointed out that “when senators serving as judges publicly pledge support for the official on trial before hearing the evidence, they are, in effect, acting as defense advocates.”
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Around 5,000 people from various civil society organisations and faith-based groups staged a rally in front of the Senate building in Manila on June 11 to express discontent over the delay.
Critics say the delay is a deliberate ploy to protect Duterte from various charges, including plotting to assassinate the president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a former ally and running mate.
She was impeached in February. If found guilty, she will be removed from the office and permanently barred from politics.
Duterte and her father, former president, Rodrigo Duterte, have dismissed all allegations as politically motivated.
“It is a shameless abdication of their constitutional mandate that will not be soon forgotten,” Renato Reyes Jr, president of progressive group Bayan, said, criticising the Senate members.
Aaron Pedrosa, a lawyer and secretary general of Sanlakas, a coalition of progressive groups, said the “refusal of the Senate to try the impeachment complaint forthwith is leaving us with no other option but direct action.”
Pedrosa also warned that “officialdom should shudder in fear when the people decide to try the case themselves.”
Rights activist, Danny Carranza, said that the impasse over impeachment “reflects the state of Philippine politics.”
Carranza said, “We are continuing to endure the kind of elite politics that has been failing the aspiration of ordinary people for good governance because those in power have been making a mockery of their governance accountability, and they are also able to escape the justice system.”
With 18 favourable and five negative votes, the impeachment court remanded the articles of impeachment due to certain clarifications.
