A coalition of Catholic priests, known as Clergy for Good Governance (CGG), has urged the Senate to maintain accountability in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Their call comes amid recent shifts in Senate leadership that have triggered public concern.
On Monday, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III was ousted by 13 senators, leading to the appointment of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, a move perceived as orchestrated by allies of the Duterte family. This political upheaval coincided with the House of Representatives voting overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte on corruption and constitutional violation charges.
CGG expressed alarm over these developments, stating, "The sudden political movements within the Senate are creating serious public concern." They highlighted fears that accountability might be compromised for the sake of political survival.
The Filipino people have seen this happen too many times before.
Clergy for Good Governance
The group emphasized that as accountability pressures mount, political alliances often shift, resulting in a loss of public trust. They called on the Senate to recognize the critical nature of this moment and to demonstrate courage by prioritizing truth.
CGG reminded senators of their moral responsibility to uphold the public's trust. They warned that failing to act justly would reinforce the belief that those in power protect one another while ordinary citizens bear the consequences.
The Senate's decision in this matter is crucial. It must choose between standing for accountability or perpetuating a cycle of political protectionism.