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ISANG malaking koalisyon ng iba’t-ibang civil society groups ang naghayag ng panawagan sa Senado para simulan ang impeachment trial laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte.
“We, the undersigned impeachment complainants, sectoral leaders, former lawmakers and concerned citizens, express great alarm over recent delays in the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte. We are outraged by persistent talks or insinuations that the impeachment trial will not proceed because of so-called jurisdictional issues,” bungad sa naturang pahayag.
“After being transmitted to the Senate last February 5, 2025, the impeachment trial has been effectively delayed for about 4 months now and risks further delay and legal uncertainties given the latest schedule which will see the convening of the impeachment court on june 11, the last session day of the 19th congress. The delays go against the constitutional provision that the senate trial shall commence “forthwith,” dugtong ng koalisyon.
Kabilang sa mga lumagda sa naturang pahayag ang nasa mahigit 22 religious leaders, kasama ang ilang prominenteng obispo at clergy members ng iba’t-ibang sekta. Pasok din sa koalisyon ang academic community, na kinakatawan ng mahigit sa 34 academiko, propesor, at 55 lider-estudyante mula sa mahabang talaan ng mga pamantasan sa bansa.
“It would be a great disservice to the nation if the impeachment trial will not proceed as mandated under the constitution, despite the overwhelming evidence presented against the vice president. In a time when a massive disinformation campaign is underway to undermine the impeachment proceedings, the president has shown weakness and opposition to achieving accountability in the corruption-prone system of confidential funds,” anila.
“We thus call on the senate to fulfill its constitutional mandate to convene the impeachment court and assert its jurisdiction over the case, and thwart all efforts to scuttle the proceedings based on legal technicalities. The time for accountability over large-scale corruption is now. Further delays and the termination of the proceedings will be nothing but a win for impunity.”
Hinikayat din ang mga mamamayan maging mapagmasid at handa sa anumang pagkilos laban sa tangkang isantabi ang kauna-unahang impeachment laban sa isang bise-presidente.
“The Filipino people, not the Dutertes, are the real victims of political maneuverings and unchecked corruption in government. Corruption along with high prices, lack of decent jobs, and grossly inadequate social services are among the issues that this government has so far neglected. Let us not allow this historic opportunity to hold high officials to account to simply pass. Let us be active participants in the trial, because we the people are the ultimate stakeholders in the impeachment proceedings.”
Kabilang sa lumagda sa manifesto sina Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., apostolic vicar ng Taytay, Palawan; Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D., ng Diocese of San Carlos; Mother Mary John Mananzan, OSB, ng Movement Against Tyranny; Rev. Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm, prior provincial, Carmelites of the Philippine province; Most Rev. Nestor D. Poltic, prime bishop ng Episcopal Church in the Philippines; Rt. Rev’d. Hilary ‘Jun’ Pasikan, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon at iba pa. (ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II)
