DOMINICAN-RUN institutions have spoken out against the delayed impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, issuing rare statements over the weekend urging senators to fulfill their constitutional duty.
On June 7, the Dominican Family for Justice and Peace Philippines became the first group affiliated with the Philippine Province of the Order of Preachers to release a statement on the impeachment, criticizing the Senate for “slowing” and “putting to sleep” the proceedings.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) followed on June 8 with a nine-word statement that indirectly but unmistakably urged senators to act on the complaints.
Colegio de San Juan Letran, another Dominican-run school, issued its own statement shortly after.
In its statement, the Dominican Family for Justice and Peace Philippines called for an immediate start to the trial.
“The Senate should carry out the mandate, and if this does not happen, it will cause significant additional damage to the institution that should truly serve the people,” it said.
“We will continue to stand for social justice. We urgently call for the impeachment process to proceed NOW.”
In its brief but pointed message, UST, which typically steers clear of national and political issues, subtly criticized Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who had delayed taking up the impeachment trial despite the Constitution stating that it should be done “forthwith.”
“Respect the Constitution. Fulfill the duty. Forthwith proceed. Veritas,” UST said, ending its statement with a call for truth and a reference to the school’s motto, “Veritas en Caritate (Truth in Charity).”
On June 10, UST’s Department of Political Science also urged the Senate to do away with delays in the impeachment proceedings.
“The impeachment process offers a valuable teaching moment for our students and to the public at large, that beyond our lawmakers’ grandstanding and vacillating stands a higher calling – to heed what is just, fair, and right,” the department’s statement read.
Letran, the second largest Dominican-run school in the country, invoked its motto “Deus, Patria, Letran (For God, For Country, For Letran),” reminding senators to put national interest first before personal and political preferences.
Delaying the impeachment trial, it said, betrays public trust and undermines democratic values.
“We call on our national leaders, particularly the Senate, to perform their duties with impartiality, putting the nation’s welfare above personal or political interests,” the statement posted on Facebook said.
“As Letranites, we are called not only to excellence but to conscience,” it continued. “In the spirit of Patria, we stand for a nation that upholds truth, honors its laws, and cultivates leaders who serve with integrity.”
Other academic institutions supporting the start of the trial include the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, De La Salle University’s Department of Political Science and Development Studies, Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Governance, and the University of the Philippines College of Law, where Escudero studied and taught.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives four months ago on Feb. 5 over four grounds: violation of the 1987 Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. Ralent M. Penilla and Justin Jacob S. Urag
