Filipino Church Leaders, Activists Slam Delayed Duterte Impeachment

By Ronald Reyes and Inday Espina-Varona

(UCA News) — Catholic leaders joined activists in the Philippines to criticize the national parliament for delaying the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, who 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 City.

“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 to ensure the essentiality of transparency.  “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.”

“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,” the prelate said.

Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. of Cubao reminded 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.”

Around 5,000 people from various civil society organizations and faith-based groups staged a rally in front of the Senate building in capital Manila on June 11 to express discontent over the delay.

It was in response to the Senate’s failure to pass the motion with articles required to impeach Duterte by the impeachment court on June 10.

Critics say the delay is a deliberate ploy to protect Duterte from various charges, including plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a former ally and running mate.

She was impeached in February. If found guilty, she would 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, told UCA News, criticizing the Senate members.

Lawyer Aaron Pedrosa, 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.”

“We are continuing to endure the kind of elite politics that have 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,” Carranza told UCA News.

With 18 favorable and 5 negative votes, the impeachment court remanded the articles of impeachment due to certain clarifications.