Church leaders join calls to start VP Sara impeachment trial

Two Catholic Church leaders were among the latest to join the call urging the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

On Monday, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas joined the clamor to proceed with the impeachment process of Duterte, stressing that delaying the trial is "to suppress the truth.:

"It is a sin to suppress or conceal the truth. The nation has a right to the truth that can only be established by law and evidence. To deprive the people of the full truth is a form of robbery. It is keeping something not yours. It is a sin," Villegas said.

Delaying the commencement of the trial, he continued, "is sinfully wrong," and offends truth and justice.

"To abort the trial even before its delayed announcement is deplorable. It is a sin against justice. The trial by the Senate is a positive command of the Philippine Constitution. It is a demand of justice. It must be commenced and it must continue to a just verdict," he added.

Meanwhile, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, the social arm of the Catholic Church, likewise urged the Upper Chamber to act on the case with urgency while maintaining "utmost integrity" and a strong commitment to the rule of law.

In a separate statement, Bagaforo stressed that the impeachment trial against Duterte "must no longer be delayed."

"We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency. Let us be reminded that justice delayed is justice denied," the bishop said.

"Let this be a time for our leaders to show moral courage, for our institutions to stand firm in justice, and for all citizens to demand accountability rooted in compassion and truth," he added.

Bagaforo also urged the public to remain vigilant, discerning, and "united in prayer."

"[May] this chapter in our nation's journey lead us closer to genuine peace, good governance, and a more just society for all," he added.

The Senate on Monday night voted unanimously to refer the impeachment complaint against Duterte to the committee on rules.

Senator Risa Hontiveros clarified that the Senate will not convent as an impeachment court but Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero took his oath Monday evening as the presiding officer of the impeachment court for the Vice President, while the rest of the senators take theirs tomorrow.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on 5 February for "high crimes," including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against her former ally and running mate President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.