Philippine Bishops: Sara Duterte's trial must proceed without further delay
The Catholic Bishops' Conference has called for a fair trial against the vice president, in compliance with the constitution, a necessary step “to restore our people’s faith and confidence in our public institutions”. Meanwhile, dela Rosa, former President Duterte's ally and right-hand man in the war on drugs, fled the Senate after a standoff to avoid arrest.
Manila (AsiaNews) – Philippine bishops are appealing to the Senate to ensure no further delays to the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, after the House of Representatives authorised a trial for the second time.
In a statement released on Tuesday signed by Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera of Lipa, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the prelates urge the Senate “to abide by what the Constitution directs” and “proceed with the trial and to decide the case [. . .] summoning witnesses, hearing testimony, and voting according to the evidence and, above all, the demands of righteousness and justice”.
Sara Duterte is accused of embezzling US$ 9.95 million in public funds during her tenure as vice president and education minister. Other charges include accumulating assets exceeding her legal income and influencing procurement and financial decisions through government officials.
An investigation is also underway over an alleged plot to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The House of Representatives, finding that there was sufficient evidence, voted on Monday to impeach the vice president with a majority that far exceeded the one third needed to try her. As required by the constitution, the articles of impeachment were sent to the Senate for trial.
“We urge the Senators to avoid any act that may be perceived as evading their sworn duty or circumventing the requirements of the Constitution,” said Archbishop Garcera. “You now have this opportunity to restore our people’s faith and confidence in our public institutions that adhere to the rule of law and serve the common good in the pursuit of justice and truth.”
Addressing fellow Filipinos, the bishops said: “Let us fulfil civic duties and responsibilities by ensuring a fair and credible trial so that all may see and hear clear, verified evidence and arguments.”
At the same time, “We must also remain vigilant in monitoring the proceedings. In this way, we uphold the truth, safeguard the integrity of public discourse, and strengthen our nation against misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation,” the statement reads.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay, Palawan, also waded into the affair, urging senators to listen and fix the impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte. For the prelate the trial will clarify the charges against the vice president and show Filipinos that no one, not even elected officials, is above the law.
“The reasons for the impeachment process are different, so I ask that our senators be fair; their loyalty is not to one family and not to self-interest, but it should be to the people,” the prelate said.
Last week, on 8 May, Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo of Kidapawan, head of the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, also spoke about the case, stressing that the procedure “should not be feared nor prematurely condemned.”
“Impeachment, the prelate said, “is not persecution. It is a constitutional and democratic process designed precisely to ensure that public officials entrusted with immense power remain accountable to the people”.
Finally, the Bishops’ Conference reminded political leaders and ordinary Filipinos that democracy can thrive only when institutions are respected and when no public official is above the law.
In its various pastoral statements on governance and accountability, the CBCP has emphasised that public office is a sacred role that requires integrity, humility, and accountability before God and the people.
In reality, according to Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Philippines continues to score low in terms of public sector integrity, reflecting persistent concerns over corruption, abuse of power, political cronyism, and weak accountability mechanisms.
The bishops' appeal comes at a delicate moment in the country's history, amid tensions related to the tug-of-war involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa, head of the anti-drug squad set up by former President Rodrigo Duterte, responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings.
On Monday, he was holed up in the Senate during an attempt to arrest him, telling the military to halt the attempt to detain him and extradite him to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, where former President Rodrigo Duterte is on trial for crimes against humanity. Several gunshots were fired during the tense standoff.
Dela Rosa had not appeared in public since last November before unexpectedly taking part in a Senate vote on Monday that allowed Duterte loyalists to gain control of the Senate.
According to Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who oversees law enforcement, dela Rosa fled the Senate at 2:30 am yesterday morning in a car with a fellow senator, Robin Padilla, his current whereabouts unknown, while police launched a manhunt.
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