Catholic bishops and church leaders on Monday called on the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte while urging lawmakers to preserve the integrity and dignity of the chamber amid heightened political tensions.
In a statement signed by 165 bishops, priests, and church leaders nationwide, members of Caritas Philippines appealed to senators to fulfill their constitutional duty and convene as an impeachment court without delay.
“We appeal to the Members of the Senate to abide by what the Constitution directs: to proceed with the trial and . . . adhere to the rule of law and serve the common good in the pursuit of justice and truth,” the statement said.
“We make this urgent appeal to not delay the trial and to convene the Senate as an impeachment court at the soonest possible time. To delay the trial is to delay justice for both the Filipino people and the Vice President,” it added.
The statement backed the earlier call of Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, for the Senate to proceed with the impeachment process.
The statement was led by Caritas Philippines president Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and signed by church leaders including Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Archbishop Alberto Uy, Bishop Roberto Gaa, and Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara.
The church leaders said recent developments in the Senate underscored the need to safeguard democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.
“To our fellow Filipinos, let us fulfill our civic duties and responsibilities by ensuring a fair and credible trial so that all may see and hear clear, verified evidence and arguments,” the statement read.
“We must also remain vigilant in monitoring the proceedings. In this way, we uphold the truth, safeguard the integrity of public discourse, and strengthen our nation against misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation,” it added.
The group also urged Filipinos to peacefully organize activities supporting truth, justice, and democratic accountability regardless of religion or political affiliation.
The statement linked the impeachment issue to broader national concerns, including alleged flood control corruption, the International Criminal Court investigation into the drug war, proposals for an anti-political dynasty law, and the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.
“We have been going through many challenges and crises the past years,” the statement read, quoting the late Pope Francis: “To come out better from a crisis, we must see clearly, choose well, and act right.”
Separately, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, convenor of the Inter-Religious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation, called for sobriety and restraint amid rising political tensions.
“At this critical moment, we call on all people to remain calm, discerning, and prayerful,” Bagaforo said.
Bagaforo, who also heads the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue, said political disputes should be resolved through lawful and constitutional processes.
He also appealed to senators to preserve the Senate’s integrity and dignity.
“It is important that our senators continue to preserve the dignity, integrity, and nobility of the institution,” he said.
Bagaforo called for impartial investigations into recent Senate-related incidents and urged law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and order while respecting human rights.
Bishop Ruperto Santos also appealed for restraint, saying public anger reflected frustrations over corruption, governance issues, and perceived leadership failures.
“The righteous anger of our people is not born of hatred, but of betrayal… a betrayal of trust, of duty, and of the common good,” Santos said.
“Let us not lose sight of what truly matters,” he added. “Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted from the deeper issues that demand our moral attention and collective action.”
