Caritas Philippines calls on Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and the Senate to ensure the immediate and impartial handling of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. The organization underscores that impeachment is a matter of national concern requiring urgent attention.
“Once an impeachment complaint is filed, government institutions must act swiftly and decisively,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, President of Caritas Philippines. “Delays and hesitations in the process only weaken our democratic institutions and erode public trust in governance.”
Caritas Philippines emphasizes that allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and negligence in public service must be pursued with the same rigor as any grave crime. “Corruption is a moral and social evil that robs the people of justice and dignity,” Bishop Bagaforo added. “Just as we seek justice in cases of violence and crime, we must be relentless in holding our leaders accountable for betraying public trust.”
Impeachment serves as a judicial process to hold our highest public officials accountable to standards of transparency and justice. Vice President Sara Duterte deserves a fair hearing within this constitutional framework, regardless of the allegations against her. As former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago noted, “Impeachment is both quasi-judicial and quasi-political. It is not a civil case nor a criminal case. A criminal case is designed to punish an offender and to seek retribution. In contrast, impeachment is the first step in a process that tries to remedy a wrong in governance.”
Historically, the Senate has served as a moral compass among the three branches of government. Caritas Philippines now urges senators to uphold this legacy. “We need the Senate, and especially the Senate President, to embody patriotism and a true commitment to social justice,” said Bishop Bagaforo. “The people are watching, and they deserve to see their leaders prioritize truth and accountability above political maneuvering.”
Caritas Philippines encourages all Filipinos to remain vigilant and engaged in the democratic process, stressing that the impeachment proceedings should serve the interests of justice and good governance.
“We stand with every Filipino who seeks transparency and accountability,” Bishop Bagaforo concluded. “Now is the time for our leaders to prove that democracy works for the people, not for political convenience.”