Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Church, is urging the Senate to immediately begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that delaying the process weakens public trust in government institutions.
In a statement, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Caritas Philippines president, called on Senate President Francis Escudero and other senators to act swiftly on the impeachment complaint rather than wait until July or after the May 2025 elections.
“Once an impeachment complaint is filed, it is the duty of government institutions to respond promptly,” Bagaforo said. He added that postponing the proceedings undermines democracy and accountability.
Caritas also emphasized that the trial is an opportunity for the Senate to uphold justice and transparency by holding top officials accountable.
“The people are watching,” Bagaforo said. “Leaders must prioritize truth and accountability over political interests.”
The Articles of Impeachment against Duterte were transmitted to the Senate on February 5. However, Escudero has maintained that the trial cannot begin while Congress is on break.
Senator Risa Hontiveros has since called for an all-senators caucus to discuss if the Senate can function as an impeachment court during the recess, hoping to address differing legal opinions on the matter.
