Catholic clergy joins civil society at Senate rally today
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has signaled support for moving forward with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, as members of the clergy join forces with civil organizations in mounting three days of mass actions aimed at pressuring the Senate leadership to stop delaying the process.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, the Catholic Church’s social action arm, urged the Senate to act on the case with urgency while maintaining “utmost integrity” and a strong commitment to the rule of law.
The Bishop is scheduled to lead a prayer rally as part of an ecumenical gathering of various pro-impeachment organizations at the Manila Film Center today, culminating in a “forthwith march” to the Senate Gate, where participants intend to hold a vigil until Wednesday.
“Let this be a time for our leaders to show moral courage, for our institutions to stand firm in justice, and for all citizens to demand accountability rooted in compassion and truth,” Bagaforo said in a statement published on the CBCP’s newsletter yesterday.
He emphasized that delaying the trial undermines public trust and weakens democratic institutions.
“The impeachment trial must no longer be delayed. We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency,” he said.
“The ultimate goal must always be the welfare of the Filipino people — especially the poor, the marginalized, and those whose voices are often unheard,” Bagaforo added.
For his part, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, said pro-impeachment groups would stand guard at the Senate until June 11, which is the last session day of Congress, when a prosecutor from the House of Representatives would present the articles of impeachment to members of the upper chamber.
Escudero has said that after the articles of impeachment are presented and read, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court, approve the rules, and issue a summons to the Vice President.
The Vice President is given 10 days to respond, which the Senate President said would be until June 21 when the Senate has already ended its session.
Escudero has said that the trial would probably begin on July 28 when the 20th Congress opens.
Villanueva, who led the Justice and Peace Office of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) religious order, was a signatory to the first impeachment complaint filed against Duterte in December last year, pointing out that further delaying the process threatens to deny justice to Filipinos.
“The impeachment trial must no longer be delayed. We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency,” he said.
Likewise, the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) criticized what it called a “deliberate delay” in the impeachment proceedings.
The group, composed of Catholic nuns and priests who occupy leadership positions in their respective holy orders, lambasted Senate President Francis Escudero for supposedly prioritizing personal ambition and turning the Senate into a partisan “playground.”
“We strongly condemn the deliberate delay in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, enabled by political maneuvering within the Senate, led by Duterte-aligned senators and Senate President Chiz Escudero,” the CMSP said in a statement.
Several Senators also joined the Catholic leadership in their eagerness to proceed with Duterte’s trial.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel warned that any further delay risks damaging the Senate’s credibility and undermining public trust in democratic institutions.
Pimentel criticized the lack of assurance from Senate leaders that the impeachment court will be convened as required, stressing that the Constitution does not permit discretionary delays.
“The credibility, reputation and integrity of the Senate are at stake. Everybody must act with good faith. We should preserve the integrity of our institution,” he said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros called the four-month delay in the impeachment process unjustifiable and said it no longer falls under procedural concerns but deliberate obstruction.
“The impeachment process is a crucial means of demanding accountability exclusively entrusted by the people to the Senate. It’s time to follow the rules and start the process ‘forthwith’,” she said.
The senator said the Senate must respect its mandate as the sole body entrusted to hold impeachment trials and warned that continued inaction erodes public confidence.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed these concerns, saying the matter is no longer up for debate and that the Senate has a clear constitutional obligation to proceed.
He pointed out that the term “forthwith” in the Constitution leaves no room for postponement or discretion once the articles of impeachment are transmitted.
“It’s no longer our decision; it’s our duty to carry it out,” he said.
Senator-elect Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, reminded that the Senate’s role is not to dismiss complaints but to carry out a trial resulting in either acquittal or conviction.
“With all due respect to the senators, once the Senate receives the complaint, the directive of the Constitution is to ‘proceed with trial,’ not proceed with dismissal, “ he said.
Pangilinan said senators, as judges in the impeachment court, must evaluate the evidence and deliver a verdict accordingly, not evade the process altogether.
Senator JV Ejercito earlier stated that the Senate is duty-bound to continue with the impeachment trial and should aim for a swift resolution to refocus on national concerns.
“This impeachment will proceed anyway, whether we like it or not. I hope it finishes quickly, so whatever the decision is, whatever the verdict is, I hope we can return to normalcy as soon as possible,” he said.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also reiterated that the Senate has no authority to bypass the trial, as the Constitution mandates that an impeachment must proceed.
“The Senate has no choice. We have to carry out our constitutional duty,” he concluded.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Bishop Bagaforo to lead prayer rally for VP Sara impeachment”
