07/06/2025
Let the Wheels of Justice Turn: Statement of Filipino Catholic Theologians on the Impeachment Complaint against VP Sara Duterte
On 5 February 2025, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment on the same day to the Senate. Despite the constitutional provision that the impeachment trial “shall forthwith proceed” (1987 Philippine Constitution, Art. XI, Sec. 3), the Senate President, Francis Escudero, has dilly-dallied and has not convened the Senate as an impeachment court without any good and acceptable reason. Many groups and individuals, including noted constitutionalists, have repeatedly called on the Senate to begin the trial in compliance with the basic law of the land.
The Damdaming Katoliko sa Teolohiya (DaKaTeo), an association of professional theologians in the Philippines, joins them in urging the Senate to immediately begin the trial of VP Duterte. It is a matter of justice that it does so. The House must be given the opportunity to present its case before the senator-judges, the VP to defend herself, and the Filipino people to know the truth of the matter. Let the wheels of justice turn. Our senators owe it to the people to promptly perform their constitutional mandate.
The delay in initiating the impeachment trial not only undermines the integrity of our Senate but also jeopardizes the trust of the Filipino people in our democratic processes. Every moment of delay prolongs uncertainty and denies the accused to a speedy trial and the right of the accuser to present one's case and to get redress. We must uphold the principles of transparency and accountability, for only through the fair adjudication of these proceedings can we uphold the rule of law.
While impeachment is a political exercise, it is imperative that government officials must always be held accountable, particularly regarding the use of public funds and any abuse of authority. For too long, we as a nation have simply turned a blind eye to the abuses and excesses of many of our public officials. We treat many of them with deference as if we owe them for the service they render us. We need to remind ourselves, “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives” (1987 Philippine Constitution, Art. XI, Sec. 1). We do not owe our politicians anything. When we elect them to public office, they are meant to serve the public and work for the common good.
Our call as a church is to work for the “just ordering of society and the state.” We can never be on the sidelines in the fight for justice, as stated by the late Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium. That includes supporting just initiatives that make public officials accountable. While the impeachment case is a divisive issue among Filipinos, the church must always be on the side of accountability.
Let this be our unwavering appeal: the time to act is now. If we allow this delay to persist, we risk normalizing impunity and abuse of power. We urge the Senate to perform its constitutional mandate and begin the impeachment trial. The Filipino people deserve clarity, accountability, and truth. Let the wheels of justice not merely turn — let them turn now.
Joefrey Almazan, PhD
Anatoly Angelo Aseneta, PhD
Sr. Auria Arabit SdP, PhD
Allan Basas, PhD
Pablito Baybado Jr, PhD
Fr. Jimmy Belita CM, PhD
Dominador Bombongan Jr, SThD
Agnes M Brazal, SThD
Rebecca Cacho, EdD
Michael S, Campos, PhD
Fr. Delfo Canceran OP, SThD
Jessica Joy Candelario, PhD
Bishop Euginius Cañete MJ, STL
Bishop-elect Dave Dean Capucao, SThD
Aloysius Cartagenas, SThD
Jeff Clyde Corpuz, PhD
Fr. Victorino Cueto CSsR, SThD
Ferdinand Dagmang, PhD
Emmanuel S. de Guzman, PhD
Fr. Ramon Echica, SThD
Fr. Vladimir M. Echalas, SOLT, SThD
Fr. Eugene Elivera, SThD
Fr. Rex Fortes CM, SThD
Fr. Jose Mario Francisco SJ, PhD
Br. Carlito Gaspar CSsR, PhD
Fr. Eric Marcelo Genilo SJ, SThD
Fr. Manuel Ginete CM, PhD
Dennis Gonzalez, SThD
Emiliano Ibera III, PhD
Rico C. Jacoba, PhD
Fr. Norlan Julia SJ, PhD
Miguel B. Lambino, PhD
Levy L. Lanaria, PhD
Dorothy Javier-Martinez, EdD
Ruben Mendoza, SThD
Kristine Meneses, PhD
Jeramie N. Molino, PhD
Fr. Randy Jasper Odchigue, SThD
Edwin B. Odulio, PhD
Estela Padilla, PhD
Br. Manuel Pajarillo FSC, SThD
Sr. Maria Cecilia Payawal PDDM, PhD
Jeane Peracullo, PhD
Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario CM, SThD
Fr. Rico Ponce, OCarm, SThD
Stephanie Ann Puen, PhD
Fr. Reynaldo Raluto. SThD
Fr. Rowan Rebustillo, SThD
Angeli Francis Rivera, PhD
Rachel Joyce Sanchez, PhD
Sem. Manuel Victor Sapitula CM, PhD
Chito Sawit, PhD
Mario Trinidad, PhD
Fr. Rolando Tuazon CM, SThD
Sr. Amelia Vasquez RSCJ, STL
