Religious leaders called on the Philippine Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in accordance with the Constitution.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan warned against violence, intimidation, and political disorder amid deepening tensions surrounding the country’s political crisis.
Bagaforo, convenor of the InterReligious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation, said recent incidents involving the Senate had “deeply concerned many Filipinos” and intensified divisions in an “already polarized political climate.”
The appeal came days after the House of Representatives impeached Duterte on allegations that include graft and an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Under the Constitution, the impeachment complaint now moves to the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court next week.
Agence France-Presse reported that senators are expected to be sworn in Monday, with summons to be sent to Duterte the following day before formal hearings begin.
Conviction would require the votes of two-thirds of the 24-member Senate and would remove Duterte from office while permanently barring her from holding public office.
Political analysts, however, said conviction remains unlikely given the continued influence of Duterte allies and affiliated parties in the Senate.
Bagaforo urged Filipinos to remain “calm, discerning, and prayerful,” saying the country must allow “truth, justice, and the common good to prevail over division and hostility.”
He described the Senate as “one of the nation’s most respected democratic institutions,” entrusted with safeguarding accountability and advancing the welfare of the Filipino people.
“It is therefore important that our senators continue to preserve the dignity, integrity, and nobility of the institution through conduct marked by sobriety, statesmanship, and patriotism,” the bishop said.
The prelate also rejected violence and coercion as political tensions continue to rise. “There must likewise be no place for violence, intimidation, mob action, or anarchy in a democratic society,” Bagaforo said, adding that political disputes must be resolved “through constitutional and lawful means.”
The interreligious council called on law enforcement authorities to maintain peace and order “with impartiality, professionalism, and full respect for due process and human rights.”
The group also urged a “thorough, impartial, and forensic investigation” into the recent incidents involving the Senate, saying “the Filipino people deserve the truth.”
Bagaforo said transparency and accountability were necessary “to restore public trust” and preserve institutional integrity.
He also stressed that the Senate must continue fulfilling its constitutional duties while investigations proceed.
“This includes proceeding with the impeachment process concerning Vice President Sara Duterte in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” Bagaforo said.
“The Filipino people deserve clarity, accountability, and fidelity to democratic processes from their leaders,” he said
Bagaforo also appealed to judicial authorities to handle the legal issues involving Sen. Ronald dela Rosa “with prudence, fairness, and urgency,” while observing due process and the country’s legal obligations.
The appeal came amid escalating tensions involving Dela Rosa, former police chief and chief enforcer of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa, on Thursday, had left the Senate complex after seeking refuge there to evade arrest over an International Criminal Court warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity tied to the deadly drug war that killed thousands during Duterte’s presidency.
The incident triggered a tense standoff inside the Senate compound, where warning shots were reportedly fired Wednesday night during a confrontation involving government agents pursuing the senator.
“At all times, adherence to the rule of law must remain paramount,” Bagaforo said.
The bishop appealed for “humility, sobriety, and moral responsibility from all sectors,” saying the nation urgently needs “truth, justice, accountability, and leaders capable of restoring dignity to public service and hope to our democracy.”
