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Nanawagan ang Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), sa mga senador ng Republika ng Pilipinas na igalang at isakatuparan ang kanilang tungkuling konstitusyunal sa mga usaping may kinalaman sa impeachment.
Sa opisyal na pahayag na may titulong “A Call to Conscience and Duty, nilinaw ni CBCP President at Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Virgilio David na ang paninindigan ay hindi para sa anumang partidong pampulitika kundi batay sa moral na pananagutan ng Simbahan.
“As President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, I speak not in the name of any political group or interest, but from the perspective of the Church’s social teaching, which calls for moral responsibility, accountability, and the primacy of the common good in public life,” ayon sa pahayag ng kalipunan ng mga obispo.
Binigyang-diin ng Cardinal na may malinaw at tungkulin ang Senado sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas sa usapin ng impeachment.
“The Senate of the Republic of the Philippines has a constitutional duty to act on impeachment cases brought before it. This duty is not optional. It is a solemn mandate arising from the principle of checks and balances enshrined in our democratic system.”
Dagdag pa niya, bagama’t may pulitikal at quasi-judicial na katangian ang impeachment, hindi ito ligtas sa mga moral na hinihingi ng katotohanan, katarungan, at pananagutan.
“In a constitutional democracy, political authority must be exercised within the bounds of law and with respect for the truth. When politics serves only partisan interest, it degenerates into manipulation; but when it is guided by conscience and the common good, it becomes a noble service.”
Mariin ding binatikos ni Cardinal David ang anumang pagtatangkang ipagpaliban o balewalain ang proseso ng impeachment para lamang sa pansariling interes.
“To delay, dismiss, or ignore such a process for reasons of political convenience is to betray the Constitution and the people’s trust. As stewards of public office, senators are not only answerable to the law but are also bound in conscience to act with integrity and impartiality.”
“The Church teaches that political authority exists to serve the common good (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 393–406). Public officials must transcend partisan interests and act in a spirit of justice and truth. The search for truth is not a political agenda; it is a moral imperative.”
Sa huli, nanawagan si Cardinal David sa lahat ng senador, lalo na sa mga lider ng Senado, na hayaan ang proseso ayon sa batas.
“We appeal to all senators, especially to those in leadership, to allow the constitutional process to proceed without obstruction. If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.”
Kaya’t panawagan ng CBCP, “Let conscience guide your actions. Let the truth take its course.”
Sa pinakahuling pangyayari, nanumpa na noong Lunes ng gabi si Senate President Francis Escudero bilang presiding officer ng impeachment court at inaasahang ngayong araw (June 10) ay manunumpa na rin bilang mga hukom ang mga miyembro ng Mataas na Kapulungan ng Kongreso sa nakatakdang paglilitis sa impeachment case laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte.
