The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) has added its voice to the growing demand to initiate the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is still awaiting action in the Senate.
In a statement, the NCCP strongly urged the Senate to begin the impeachment proceedings, ensuring that the rule of law takes precedence over political considerations.
“We thus call upon the Filipino people to continue praying for the nation and to seek a swift, fair, and upright impeachment process and outcome. May this ultimately serve the greater welfare of our beloved Filipino people,” the NCCP said.
The NCCP is a fellowship of 10 Protestant and non-Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines denominations, and 10 service-oriented organizations in the Philippines. It members include the following:
· Apostolic Catholic Church (ACC)
· Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC)
· Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP)
· Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippine Islands
· Philippine Independent Church
· United Ecumenical Church
· Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP)
· The Salvation Army Philippine Territory (TSA)
· United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)
· Philippines Central Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC)
“We are also deeply alarmed by the Vice President’s public declarations of threats and killings, statements that are inappropriate and unbecoming of such a leader, in such an honorable position entrusted with serving the people,” the group added.
The NCCP strongly condemned these actions and called for full accountability by the rule of law.
The group said the impeachment process, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is a critical legal sanction tool to bring charges against high-ranking government officials who violate public trust.
This process ensures that they are held accountable for their actions of misconduct and abuse of power, and thus, reinforces the principles of transparency and justice.
