Caritas PH says delays ‘weaken democratic institutions, erode public trust’

Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, added its voice to the growing push for the Senate to initiate the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as soon as possible.

Caritas Philippines called on Senate President Francis Escudero and the Upper Chambrt to commence the trial promptly, rather than postponing it until the end of July after the President’s State of the Nation Address.

“Once an impeachment complaint is filed, government institutions must act swiftly and decisively,” said Caritas Philippines president Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan.

“Delays and hesitations in the process only weaken our democratic institutions and erode public trust in governance,” he said.

The group noted that the impeachment serves as a judicial process to hold the country’s highest public officials accountable to standards of transparency and justice.

“The people are watching, and they deserve to see their leaders prioritize truth and accountability above political maneuvering,” Bagaforo said. 

The Senate received the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives on February 5.

While preparations have already started in the Senate, Escudero remained firm in his position that no trial can begin until Congress is in session.

Based on Escudero’s proposed calendar, House prosecutors will present the articles of impeachment on June 2. 

On June 3, the presiding officer as well as the senators who will serve as judges in the impeachment court will take oath. 

A summons for the Vice President may be issued on June 4, giving both sides time to submit pleadings before a pre-trial phase set between June 24 and July 25, Escudero said. 

If the timeline holds, Escudero said the full trial, including the presentation of evidence, could begin on July 30, following the swearing-in of 12 newly-elected senators on July 29.

For his part, House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list on Tuesday said the continued delay of the Senate impeachment trial directly benefits the Vice President.

“While the impeachment trial is not being started, there is a sense of impunity in the absence, as if the crimes we saw or shortcomings in the Department of Education and the office of the Vice President are not being taken seriously,” Acidre said.

“As they say, justice delayed is justice denied, and on the part of the House, we spent a very long time investigating the allegations,” he added.

A framer of the 1987 Constitution also called out his Escudero for departing from the intent of the Charter on its “forthwith” provision when it comes to impeachment proceedings.

Lawyer Rene Sarmiento said the “forthwith” in the Constitution is a “command” that an impeachment trial should start immediately.

“Forthwith means right away, immediately, with no hesitation, no doubt — to act without delay,” Sarmiento said.

Meanwhile, Acidre said the inclusion of former DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa in Duterte’s legal team may be a move to prevent Poa from testifying in the upcoming impeachment trial given the lawyer-client confidentiality.

Acidre said Poa, who previously served as spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President, was in a position to shed light on key issues surrounding Duterte’s use of confidential funds.

However, by making him part of the defense team, the impeachment court may be prevented from compelling him to testify, the solon said.

“We see this as another attempt to deflect,” he added.

House Assistant Majority Leader Pammy Zamora of Taguig City echoed the same sentiment, noting that Poa’s inclusion in Duterte’s legal team only raises more questions.