Cebu Archbishop calls for 'prayerful' discernment on VP Sara impeachment case

Decisions made in the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte must be handled with a “prayerfully formed conscience” since it concerns the whole country, according to a church official.

In a social media post on Saturday, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy said prayer is essential since decisions that affect the country must be guided “not by political convenience” but by “moral integrity.”

“That is why prayer is essential. A Catholic lawmaker must consult God sincerely and ask for the grace of wisdom, humility, and courage,” Uy said.

“Conscience is not merely personal opinion or emotion. In the Christian understanding, conscience must be formed by truth, prayer, moral principles, and honest discernment,” he added.

He also urged public officials to “resist the temptation to act out of anger, blind loyalty, fear, pressure, or personal ambition.”

“Every Catholic lawmaker must decide according to truth, justice, the Constitution, the common good, and a conscience formed before God,” the bishop said.

Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s defense team, told GMA News that they will monitor the House of Representatives plenary proceedings on her impeachment case on Monday.

On May 4, the House Committee on Justice unanimously approved the committee report with attached resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment and clearing the way for the House plenary vote.

The impeachment proceedings arose from several complaints filed against the Vice President this year, accusing her of betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and violations of the Constitution.

Duterte had previously denied the allegations, even as it refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the House proceedings, claiming these were politically motivated.
—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News