A senior church official has accused the Senate of betraying the Filipino people after it voted to archive the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines–Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace, said the decision denied the public social justice and accountability.
“We, the people, were betrayed; justice was denied us on the issue of accountability,” Bagaforo told Radyo Veritas 846.
The bishop, who also heads Caritas Philippines, criticized senators for failing to act as an impeachment court despite having taken an oath as senator-judges.
He said they turned their backs on their duty by granting the motion of Senator Rodante Marcoleta to shelve the case.
“Very disappointing, because we expected that the impeachment court would decide on the case and not the upper house. Remember that they have taken their oath as judges already? I think to entertain the motion of Marcoleta was out of order. They have remised their solemn duty to heed the call of the people,” he said.
Bagaforo urged the public to remain vigilant and to continue demanding accountability, stressing that the case could still be revived.
“The case was ‘archived,’ it can still be revived! That’s why our call to the people is to remain awake! Let us continue to bring and fight for our voice to the government! Now is the time to reflect, judge, and act!” he said.
He also warned that the Senate’s action was not only a legal matter but a moral one, as it further erodes public trust in government institutions.
On August 6, after hours of debate, the Senate voted 19–4–1 in favor of archiving the impeachment complaint against Duterte.
