Statement of Archbishop Socrates Villegas on VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Delay
Archbishop Socrates Villegas said the postponing of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial “a sin against justice”.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero decided to postpone the impeachment proceedings against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. From the initial schedule of June 2, the Senate Chief moved the schedule for the reading of the articles of impeachment against Duterte to June 11.
Amid the criticisms and questions, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero defended his decision saying that no one is favored in the delay of Duterte’s impeachment trial. He previously said that it is to give way to the legislative agenda of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Escudero claimed they still have several measures that they need to pass before the 19th Congress adjourns. However, his decision did not sit well with many people including some of his fellow senators. It even sparked protests.
Outside the Senate building, several civil society groups held a protest as they call for the immediate start of Duterte’s impeachment trial. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas also reacted to the delay in the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Based on a report on GMA News, Archbishop Villegas expressed his belief that delaying the trial or stopping it “is to suppress the truth”. He stressed that it is a sin against justice.
“It is a sin against justice. The trial by the Senate is a positive command of the Philippine Constitution. It is a demand of justice. It must be commenced and it must continue to a just verdict,” the Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop said.
Based on the report, Archbishop Villegas also cited that even framers of the Philippine Constitution said it is wrong to delay the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
“I add- it is sinfully wrong. It offends truth and justice,” the Catholic Church Leader said.
Yesterday, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Senate Minority will make a move to request the opening of the impeachment trial against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. According to her, she cannot allow it that the upper chamber is the first to not uphold the Constitution.
On Monday eve, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero took an oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in the trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The senators are also set to take their oath as senator-judges of the impeachment court today.