The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed concern over the delay in the Senate’s handling of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings, urging the faithful to confront “moral indifference.”
“We are disturbed by the delay in the Senate in executing the constitutional demand for the impeachment process of the Vice President,” the CBCP said in a pastoral letter. “We affirm that impeachment, when pursued with truth and justice, is a legitimate democratic mechanism for transparency and accountability in governance.”
Encouraging openness and critical thinking, the bishops urged Filipino Catholics to listen to various perspectives and engage in active citizenship grounded in Christian values.
Despite criticism, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol maintained that the Senate is not delaying the proceedings. “Claims of foot-dragging are baseless as actions speak louder than words,” he said.
Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint. However, when the Senate convened as an impeachment court on June 10, it voted to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House, without dismissing the case.
The House has already submitted the first certification, affirming that the impeachment complaint complies with the one-year ban and constitutional requirements. The second certification, which must come from the 20th Congress affirming its willingness to prosecute, remains pending.
Duterte has entered a not guilty plea and denied all charges, which include corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, inciting political instability, and allegedly contracting an assassin. Her legal team argued that the allegations lack evidence and are merely conclusions without a factual basis.
In the same pastoral message, the CBCP called on Catholics to take an active role in building a just and peaceful society. “In this Jubilee Year, let us enkindle our hope, strengthen our solidarity and remain vigilant in our stewardship of truth, justice, and the dignity of every human person,” they said.
Beyond domestic issues, the bishops also condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza and renewed their call for peace. “We appeal for an immediate ceasefire so that serious negotiations can take place for a long-lasting solution to the problems of Palestine,” the CBCP added, stressing the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid.
The pastoral letter also touched on labor concerns, urging the Church to take the lead in ensuring just compensation for workers within its institutions. The CBCP called for meaningful dialogue among workers, employers, and the government to address issues related to wages and job security.
This comes after the recent approval of a P50 daily wage increase in Metro Manila, which labor groups criticized as insufficient and dismissive of workers’ needs.