Church, Caritas: Don’t delay VP impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines — With the Senate convening as an impeachment court today, the Social Action Network (SAN) of Caritas Philippines has encouraged Filipinos to pray for senators to “adhere to the rule of law and serve the common good in the pursuit of justice and truth.”

“We make this urgent appeal to not delay the trial and to convene… at the soonest possible time. To delay the trial is to delay justice for both the Filipino people and the Vice President,” Caritas Philippines SAN said.

Recent events at the Senate make it more important for people to peacefully organize and remain vigilant, Caritas Philippines president Gerardo Alminaza, bishop of San Carlos, Negros Island said.

Caritas Philippines SAN will organize information hubs to provide to communities fact-checked updates on the impeachment trial.

Vice President Sara Duterte is accused of misuse of funds and betrayal of public trust, among others.

Signatories to the statement include six archbishops: Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, Victor Bendico of Capiz, Alberto Uy of Cebu, Midyphil Billones of Jaro Iloilo, Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro and emeritus Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

There were also 36 bishops and two diocesan administrators who signed the statement.

The statement was issued in support of the call of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera.

“In these difficult times, may we resist division, deception, hatred and indifference. May we become a people formed by truth, guided by conscience and united in the love of God and country,” Alminaza said.

Aside from the noon and 6 p.m. prayers, Alminaza said they will ring church bells to “ward off evil spirits.”