Vice President Sara Duterte is seen in a screengrab from a video posted on her Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Caritas Philippines has urged leaders of the country to act with urgency on the , asserting that 鈥渏ustice delayed is justice denied.鈥�
鈥淭he impeachment trial must no longer be delayed. We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency,鈥� Caritas PH President and Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said in a statement on Saturday.
Bagaforo also said that any move toward the impeachment trial must be approached with utmost integrity and respect for the rule of law.
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He added that the impeachment trial, like any legal or political process, must 鈥渦phold truth and due process, never driven by partisanship or personal gain.鈥�
鈥淭he ultimate goal must always be the concern for the welfare of the Filipino people鈥攅specially the poor, the marginalized, and those whose voices are often unheard,鈥� Bagaforo asserted.
鈥淟et this be a time for our leaders to show moral courage, for our institutions to stand firm in justice, and for all citizens to demand accountability rooted in compassion and truth,鈥� he added.
The Caritas PH president also urged the public to unite and pray that the current situation of the country would eventually lead to genuine peace, good governance, and a more just society.
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Senate President Francis Escudero previously announced that the presentation of Articles of Impeachment of Duterte would start on June 11. Its original schedule was June 2. Escudero then explained that the schedule was moved 鈥渢o allow the Senate to tackle priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns.鈥�
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a known ally of the Dutertes, recently confirmed that he initiated the drafting of a resolution that seeks to dismiss the impeachment case against the vice president.
On February 5, Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives after a total of 215 lawmakers signed an impeachment complaint against her. Some of the grounds for the said impeachment includes, 鈥渃ulpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption.鈥�
The complaint was sent to the Senate on the same day, February 5, but it is still pending in the 19th Congress./mr