MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on the Senate to promptly convene as an impeachment court and move forward with the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The CBCP said senators should uphold their constitutional mandate, pointing out that the House of Representatives has already voted to impeach Duterte and will soon transmit the case to the Senate for trial.
The group urged lawmakers to conduct a full and fair hearing, which includes summoning witnesses, reviewing evidence, and rendering a verdict based on justice, truth, and the rule of law.
The appeal was issued in the wake of a Senate leadership shake-up on Monday, where Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was replaced by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano after a vote among 13 senators.
The bishops cautioned the Senate against any move that could be interpreted as avoiding or delaying its constitutional responsibility.
They emphasized that the current situation is an opportunity for the Senate to restore public confidence in government institutions and demonstrate commitment to justice.
CBCP also warned that postponing the impeachment trial could delay accountability for both the Filipino people and the Vice President.
At the same time, the group encouraged the public to stay vigilant and help counter false information surrounding the case.
It concluded by expressing hope that the impeachment process would reinforce democratic values and strengthen adherence to the rule of law in the country.
ia/xf
