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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Let justice prevail': VP Sara's impeachment proceedings are about accountability, not persecution, says Bishop Bagaforo

'Let justice prevail': VP Sara's impeachment proceedings are about accountability, not persecution, says Bishop Bagaforo

Published May 8, 2026 05:03 pm

At A Glance

  • Bishop Bagaforo, who heads the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue and the InterReligious Leaders' Council for National Transformation, said due process must be respected and allowed to proceed without obstruction.
Vice President Sara Duterte (Manila Bulletin file photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte (Manila Bulletin file photo)
A Catholic bishop on Friday, May 8, said the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte should be treated as a constitutional process of accountability and not framed as political persecution.
Diocese of Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, who also heads the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue and the InterReligious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation, said due process must be respected and allowed to proceed without obstruction.
“Impeachment is not persecution. It is a constitutional and democratic process designed precisely to ensure that public officials entrusted with immense power remain accountable to the people,” Bagaforo said.
He said the proceedings should not be prematurely dismissed or framed as political harassment.
“It should not be obstructed or derailed,” he added.
“If the Vice President is truly innocent of the allegations raised against her, then this process becomes the proper and honorable avenue to clear her name and vindicate herself before the Filipino people,” he said.
His statement comes amid continuing concerns over governance integrity in the Philippines.
The country has consistently received low scores in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Bagaforo said public officials, especially those in high office, should not be exempt from accountability mechanisms and should instead respect constitutional processes.
CBCP has consistently reminded government officials that public office is a “sacred trust” that requires integrity, humility, and responsibility, and that democratic institutions must be upheld through adherence to the rule of law.
Bagaforo urged all sectors of society to allow the impeachment process against Duterte to proceed peacefully and transparently.
“Let evidence be examined. Let truth emerge. Let justice prevail,” he said.
He added that accountability should not be dismissed as destabilization or political harassment, but recognized as a foundation of public trust in democratic governance.
The impeachment process against Vice President Duterte has advanced in the House of Representatives after the Committee on Justice unanimously found probable cause in two complaints on April 29.
The panel subsequently approved its report and the articles of impeachment on May 4, moving the case to the plenary for action, with a vote scheduled on May 11.

Related Tags

KIDAPAWAN BISHOP JOSE COLIN BAGAFORO CBCP VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT
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