CBCP expresses concern over delay in VP Sara's impeachment trial

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed concern over the delay of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings as they urged the faithful to “combat moral indifference.”

“We are disturbed by the delay in the Senate in executing the constitutional demand for the impeachment process of the Vice President,” CBCP said in a pastoral letter on Tuesday.

“We affirm that impeachment, when pursued with truth and justice, is a legitimate democratic mechanism for transparency and accountability in governance,” it added.

The Filipino Catholic bishops also urged the faithful to listen to different sides with openness and “foster a culture of engaged citizenship rooted in our Christian faith.”

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol earlier said the Senate is not holding off Duterte’s impeachment.

“Claims of foot-dragging are baseless as actions speak louder than words,” Tongol said.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 with more than 200 congressmen endorsing the verified complaint against her, which has been transmitted to the Senate for her impeachment trial.

The Senate sitting as an impeachment court however voted last June 10 to return to the House of Representatives the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte without dismissing or terminating the case.

The House already submitted the first required certification that the complaint complied with the one-year ban on subsequent impeachment complaints and that it followed the Constitution.

The House under the 20th Congress has yet to submit the second certification concerning its willingness to prosecute.

Duterte has entered a “not guilty” plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives.

Duterte, however, denied allegations against her, which include bribery, corruption, betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, contracting an assassin, and political destabilization — calling them “false, misleading, impertinent, and mere conclusions of fact and law.”

Duterte’s camp said that the allegation in relation to her previous statement that she had contracted someone to kill Marcos, his wife, and Romualdez if she herself gets killed, “does not offer any proof thereof [and] does not show what acts allegedly constitute such ‘high crimes.’”

Gaza situation, labor issues

The CBCP also called on Catholics to take part in creating 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,” it added.

The Filipino Catholic bishops also condemned the continued tension in Gaza as they reiterated their call for peace.

“Let food and badly needed humanitarian aid benefit all. We appeal for an immediate ceasefire so that serious negotiations can take place for a long-lasting solution to the problems of Palestine,” CBCP said.

The prelates also called for a dialogue for just compensation among workers in the country.

“The Church must lead by example in ensuring fair salaries, benefits and dignified treatment of workers in our church institutions,” CBCP said.

“We appeal for dialogue among employees, employers and the government to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions on just wages and security of tenure as the workers rightfully demand and the Church’s social teachings advocate,” it added.

It can be recalled that the National Capital Region Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board approved a P50 increase in the daily minimum wage, drawing flak among labor groups, with some calling it an "insult." — BAP, GMA Integrated News