CARDINAL Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), stressed that proceeding with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment according to the Constitution is a “moral imperative.”
Citing the Church’s social teaching on political authority, David said senators should act in the spirit of justice and truth for the common good.
“The search for truth is not a political agenda; it is a moral imperative,” David said in a statement on June 10.
“We appeal to all senators, especially to those in leadership, to allow the constitutional process to proceed without obstruction. If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear,” he added.
David emphasized that the Senate’s constitutional duty is not optional.
“It is a solemn mandate arising from the principle of checks and balances enshrined in our democratic system,” David, bishop of Kalookan, said.
“To delay, dismiss, or ignore such a process for reasons of political convenience is to betray the Constitution and the people’s trust.”
The delay in impeachment came after Senate President Francis Escudero rescheduled the reading of impeachment articles against Duterte from June 2 to June 11, more than four months since the impeachment complaint was sent to the Senate.
Duterte is facing allegations of betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and high crimes.
The Kalookan bishop joins other Catholic institutions, including UST, that released statements urging the Senate to obey the constitutional mandate to “forthwith proceed” with impeachment proceedings.
The Senate voted 18-5 on Tuesday, just hours after convening a trial, to remand the impeachment case to the House of Representatives.
Duterte has also been issued a writ of summons.
This renders the presentation of the articles of impeachment, scheduled for June 11, cancelled.
