The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is urging the Senate to promptly initiate the impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte. In a pastoral statement issued on May 12, 2026, the CBCP emphasized that any delay could erode public confidence and violate constitutional mandates.
The bishops noted that the House of Representatives had already voted overwhelmingly to impeach the vice president, forwarding the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial. They stressed the importance of adhering to constitutional directives.
In their statement, signed by CBCP President Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera, the bishops appealed directly to senators to fulfill their constitutional obligations. They warned against any actions that might be seen as undermining the impeachment process.
The CBCP's call comes at a time of heightened political tensions, particularly following a leadership change in the Senate. Alan Peter Cayetano has taken over as Senate president from Vicente Sotto III, raising concerns among legal experts and civil society groups about potential delays in the proceedings.
The bishops encouraged senators to seize the opportunity to restore public faith in government institutions, emphasizing that delaying the trial would only prolong justice for both the Filipino people and the vice president.
They also urged the public to remain vigilant during the impeachment process, highlighting the importance of truth and integrity in public discourse amidst rising misinformation.
The statement concluded with a call for prayer, invoking Our Lady of Fatima, in hopes of guiding the nation through this significant constitutional process.