Statement of Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Delay of Impeachment Trial versus VP Sara Duterte
Archbishop Socrates Villegas reacted to the delay of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The rescheduling of the impeachment process against Vice Pres. Duterte earned different reactions from the Filipinos including some senators. The civil society groups even set a 3-day protest calling for an immediate start of Duterte’s impeachment process. According to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, they postpone the process to give way for their legislative agenda.
Escudero claimed that they have several key measures that need to be passed before the 19th Congress ends. He also said that the Commission on Appointments still have several presidential appointments to review. However, some of his fellow senators as well as some former senators and those who framed the Philippine Constitution saw the move as allegedly unconstitutional.
Opposition Senators Risa Hontiveros and Koko Pimentel believes that the impeachment trial must have been started right away. Former Sen. Leila de Lima stressed that Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero could have more categorical on the issue of the impeachment process against Duterte.
Recently, Archbishop Socrates Villegas unveiled his side on the delay in the impeachment process against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, the Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop claimed that the delay in the trial is allegedly a sin.
“It is to suppress the truth. It is a sin. The opponent, the devil, is rightly called Prince of Lies,” he said.
Based on the report, Archbishop Socrates Villegas also stressed that to stop the trial “even before its delayed commencement is deplorable”. According to him, it is allegedly 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. It is wrong to delay… according to no less than the framers of the Constitution itself. I add- it is sinfully wrong. It offends truth and justice,” Archbishop Socrates Villegas said.
Amid the issue, the lawyers of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte stressed that the impeachment process must not be used as a “political tool” against opponents. The legal counsels of the Vice President stressed that they are ready to face the charges against her in case the trial proceeds.
On Monday eve, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in the trial against Duterte. The senators are set to take their oath as judges of the court today.