CBCP upholds Constitution, rule of law amid VP Duterte impeachment trial

The concern of the Catholic Church in the Philippines on ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is beyond bipartisan politics as Filipino bishops underscored that they uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.

"We are watching and monitoring the ongoing impeachment trial. We, in the name of the Church, have not changed its position that this impeachment process is important that is happening now," said CBCP Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue Chairman and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo during the online press conference at the conclusion of the 132nd plenary assembly.

“This is not a condemnation of our vice president. We are not taking a stand in favor of or against our vice president. What we uphold is the Constitution, the rule of law. Let this impeachment process run its course,” he said.

“Let the impeachment process, let the rule of law give its own verdict on what it really is,” he said.

He also said the Filipino people trusts in the impeachment process and are closely watching this in the Senate.

Bagaforo, who is also Inter-Religious Leaders Council for National Transformation lead convenor, said the Church fights for nothing else but justice.

"Hustisya sa mga nangyari dahil sa mga allegations ng korapsyon, at saka hustisya yung mga inaccuse natin ngayon," he said.

(Justice for what happened due to allegations of corruption, and then justice for those we accuse now.)

"At pangalawa, accountability, in other words this is an example where reminder sa ating mga public officials. Accountable tayo, yung tiwala ng bayan at lalo na yung kapangyarihang binigay sa atin, accountable tayo. Dapat kaya natin sagutin at maayos ang pamamalakad at maayos ang ating dispensation of services to our people," he added.

(And secondly, accountability, in other words this is an example where... reminder to our public officials. We are accountable, the trust of the people and especially the power given to us, we are accountable. We must be able to answer and manage properly and the proper dispensation of services to our people.)

When bishops were asked for their plan of action to unite Filipinos who have different political beliefs, Bagaforo said that indeed the people have embraced various political colors.

"Totoo, masyado tayong divided ngayon. Napakaraming kulay na ang ating mga sambayanan. Merong pula, merong pink, may yellow. Ano pa, different color, may green pa. At ang dasal natin, ang dasal natin... sana, magkaisa tayo," he said.

(It's true, we are so divided now. Our people are so many colors. There is red, there is pink, there is yellow. What else, different colors, there is even green. And our prayer, our prayer... hopefully, we will be united.)

"Kung ibig natin umunlad, at ibig natin magkaroon ng mabuting pamamalakad sa ating gobyerno, at para sa progreso at kabutihan ng lahat, napakaimportante na magkaisa tayo. At nawa, huwag tayo mag-focus sa itinatawag na personal politics. Politics by patronage. Sana ang ating tignan, ay yung para sa kabutihan ng lahat at lalung-lalo na hindi tumitigil ang ating simbahan na maging moral conscience ng ating sambayanan," he added.

(If we want to develop, and we want to have good governance in our government, and for the progress and good of all, it is very important that we unite. And may we not focus on what is called personal politics. Politics by patronage. Hopefully, our vision is for the good of all and especially that our church does not stop being the moral conscience of our people.)

The Bishop from Kidapawan also mentioned a prayer from Tangub City in Visaya "Uno ang Ginoo (God is first)."

"I am sure I am sure that is the one that will unify our Filipino people. One will, one heart God is first magiging mabuti ang pagpatakbo ng ating pamahalaan (our government will be run well)," he said. — BAP, GMA News