The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) has joined the growing call of the business sector urging lawmakers to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to uphold the rule of law.

In a statement on Friday, June 13, FINEX said it views the impeachment proceedings as an important element of the country’s democratic principles.

“We believe that, as leaders in finance and governance, we must uphold integrity and transparency in our processes, both in the private sector and in government,” the group said.

“These are non-negotiable requirements for any and all who work in these sectors,” it added.

FINEX, the country’s leading organization of financial executives, said high-ranking officials such as Duterte must be held to these lofty standards.

It added that the impeachment trial provides a mechanism that serves as “guardrails” to prevent abuse of power as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.

This vital process, according to FINEX, requires straightforward execution from Congress, noting that there should be “no digression, no delays, no backsliding, no shortcuts.”

The group said that “finding the truth and judging from knowing the truth” are the only objectives of this process.

“We therefore urge Congress and the Senate to conduct this process with the highest integrity and transparency, following the framework of the Constitution,” it said.

FINEX stated that failure to proceed with the impeachment trial will have serious consequences on public trust.

Such a breakdown in trust could disrupt social stability and hinder economic progress, it said.

Apart from FINEX, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) have also urged Congress to act on the impeachment case.

The business groups fear that derailing the constitutional process could foster instability in the country, which would potentially dissuade investments and economic growth.

On Tuesday evening, June 11, the Senate officially convened as an impeachment court, marking the start of proceedings after months of delay.

In an unprecedented move, the upper chamber moved to return the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the House of Representatives, citing the need to address alleged constitutional infirmities.

The House on Wednesday opted not to receive the articles of impeachment until the Senate provides clarification to the queries posed by the prosecution panel, composed of 11 congressmen.

Duterte was impeached in February by the lower chamber on the grounds of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.