Urgency of impeachment trial

The issue of whether there should be an impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has strangely and unexpectedly become a controversial topic. When the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to impeach Sara Duterte, it was generally assumed that the Senate would hold a trial. The topic of discussion at that time was whether there would be sufficient number in the Senate to convict her. Suddenly, we find ourselves in the middle of a divisive debate on whether there should even be a trial.

For several constitutionalists like Christian Monsod, senators have no power to dismiss the impeachment complaint. Monsod was a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution. One of the most revealing statements comes from the UP Law Faculty, which laid out a very convincing manifesto for the continuance of the impeachment trial. The UP lawyers also rightfully pointed out that a dismissal of the trial by the Senate would be an abdication of its constitutional role in impeachment.

It is time for the public to raise its voice and let the senators hear their disgust at the political maneuverings that is going on. This blatant disregard for the Constitution is what has led to the Filipino people having lost their faith in our political institutions. In a recent survey, 88 percent of the Filipino people want the trial to go through. If the trial is delayed or allowed not to go through, this will forever be a black mark on the image of the Philippine Senate as an independent body that places the nation’s welfare and the rule of law above selfish personal and political interests.

Among the most vocal organizations that have decided to let their sentiments become public is the De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines, whose institution includes among the most prestigious educational institutions in the country like De La Salle University-Manila, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, DLSU Dasmariñas and Lipa and St. La Salle University in Bacolod.

Here is the statement that was recently issued, which is being reprinted verbatim.

Statement of the LaSallian Family in the Philippines on the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte

We Stand for Truth, Accountability and Justice

As members of the LaSallian Family in the Philippines, committed to the values of faith, service and communion in mission, we raise our collective voice in strong condemnation of any and all efforts – covert or overt – to prematurely discard or obstruct the constitutional process of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The impeachment process is not merely a political exercise; it is a sacred mechanism enshrined in the 1987 Constitution to ensure that the highest public officials remain answerable to the people they serve. Any attempt to suppress this process undermines the pursuit of truth, and the very foundation of democracy, the rule of law and the principle that no one is above the law.

We remind our senators – both of the 19th and the incoming 20th Congress – to act as impartial stewards of justice, especially in matters involving the accountability of public officials. They are not mere spectators to political expedience; they are guardians of the Republic’s integrity. The least they can do is to assure the Filipino people that the rule of law prevails, even when political pressures mount.

We call on the Senate to allow the impeachment process to proceed with fairness, transparency and due diligence, guided by truth and a deep sense of patriotic responsibility. To cut short this process is not only a disservice to justice but also a betrayal of public trust.

As LaSallians, we are taught to “Enter to Learn and Leave to Serve.” Today, we serve not only by teaching minds and touching hearts, but by speaking truth to power. We stand with all citizens and institutions who seek truth, transparency and transformative governance.

We pray that our leaders will find the courage to do what is right and just – not what is easy, popular or politically convenient.

We are LaSallians. We are Filipinos. This is our stand. – De La Salle Brothers of the Philippines

I hope and pray that other educational institutions, business and civic organizations, labor groups and other nongovernment institutions will issue their own statements that will urge the senators to perform their constitutional duty.

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June Writefest 2025, a creative writing workshop for kids and teens, runs for six afternoons (MWF 3-5 pm) in a hybrid session from June 23-July 4, at Fully Booked, BGC & Zoom. Class will be divided into two age groups, taught by Sofi Bernedo and Roel Cruz, who will mentor the young writers to experiment with different genres and produce an anthology at the end of the six sessions. Invited guest authors are graphic novelist Jay Ignacio and horror fictionist Anthony Shieh. Fully Booked, BGC. & Zoom. Save your spot. bit.ly/writefest2025

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