Romer Butuyan 
UMAPELA ang Council of Bishops ng United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) sa Senado para panindigan ang nakaatang na mandato ng may integridad, patas at moralidad at tapang sa pagharap sa pagdinig impeachment case laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sa isang statement na may titulong “Stand Firm for Truth, Justice, and Accountability,” sinabi ng UCCP Council of Bishops na dapat manaig ang public accountability, kasabay ng panawagan isantabi ang partisan interests at political alliances.
“The Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) calls upon the Philippine Senate to faithfully uphold its constitutional mandate with integrity, impartiality, and moral courage,” saad pa sa opisyal na pahayag.
“As the House of Representatives transmits the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on allegations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes, the Senate must recognize that its responsibility transcends partisan interests and political alliances,” dagdag nga obispo.
“It bears a solemn duty before the Filipino people and before history itself,” anang UCCP Council of Bishops.
Kabilang sa mga lumagda sa naturang statement sina Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog, General Secretary; Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa, acting general secretary; Bishop Marino I. Inong, acting Bishop, North Luzon Jurisdictional Area; Bishop Francisco S. Aviso Jr., ng Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area; Bishop Victor L. Paller, ng South Luzon Jurisdictional Area; Bishop Jerby S. Salor, ng East Visayas Jurisdictional Area; Bishop Feliciana P. Tenchavez, ng West Visayas Jurisdictional Area; Bishop Ligaya F. San Francisco, ng Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area; at Bishop Modesto Villasanta, na may notation na “(Temporary Assigned Bishop) Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area.”
Nakalista naman bilang signatories sa ilalim ng “Bishop Emeritus” sina Bishop Arturo R. Asi, Bishop Jerome C. Baris, Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo, Bishop Erme R. Camba, Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino, Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, Bishop Roel P. Mendoza, Bishop Jaime R. Moriles, Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua, Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose, Bishop Elorde M. Sambat, Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica, Bishop Jessie S. Suarez, Bishop Joel E. Tendero, at Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis.
Giit ng UCCP bishops, ang impeachment ay hindi dapat itinuring bilang isa lamang political conflict, sa halip ay itrato ito bilang constitutional mechanism para sa accountability.
“Impeachment is not merely a political process but a constitutional mechanism meant to preserve public accountability and protect democratic institutions from abuse of power,” anila.
“The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, must therefore act with independence, fairness, and fidelity to truth,” dugtong pa ng UCCP Council of Bishops.
“Public authority must be exercised with humility, integrity, and responsibility, especially toward the poor and vulnerable.”
“We affirm that all authority is ultimately accountable before God, who demands justice, righteousness, and truth from both leaders and nations,” anila.
“Public office is a sacred trust that must be exercised with humility, integrity, and responsibility toward the people, especially the poor and vulnerable,” dagdag nila.
Naniniwala ang UCCP Council of Bishops na ang constitutional processes at legitimate international legal mechanisms ay mahalagang instrumento para makamit ang katotohanan at katarungan, at hindi isang political theater.
“Constitutional processes such as impeachment, together with legitimate international legal mechanisms, are not mere political theater but important instruments for defending truth and seeking justice for those silenced by violence and injustice,” mariing pahayag pa nila.
“We therefore call upon senators to resist political pressure, transactional patronage, and personal loyalties that undermine public trust and the rule of law.”
Punto ng UCCP Council of Bishops, ang pagtataguyod ng accountability o pananagutan ay hindi dapat maging selective kung saan inalala nito ang mga nasawi sa anti-drug campaign ng nakaraang Duterte administration.
“Our commitment to justice cannot be selective… We reiterate our continuing call for accountability regarding the thousands of lives lost during the anti-drug campaign of the previous administration… Justice for the victims and their families is both a moral imperative and a legal obligation.”
