CBCP President’s statement on the Senate’s responsibility in the impeachment process

As President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, I speak not in the name of any political group or interest, but from the perspective of the Church’s social teaching, which calls for moral responsibility, accountability, and the primacy of the common good in public life.

The Senate of the Republic of the Philippines has a constitutional duty to act on impeachment cases brought before it. This duty is not optional. It is a solemn mandate arising from the principle of checks and balances enshrined in our democratic system.

While impeachment is by nature a political and quasi-judicial process, it is not exempt from the moral demands of truth, justice, and accountability. In a constitutional democracy, political authority must be exercised within the bounds of law and with respect for the truth. When politics serves only partisan interest, it degenerates into manipulation; but when it is guided by conscience and the common good, it becomes a noble service.

To delay, dismiss, or ignore such a process for reasons of political convenience is to betray the Constitution and the people’s trust. As stewards of public office, senators are not only answerable to the law but are also bound in conscience to act with integrity and impartiality.

The Church teaches that political authority exists to serve the common good (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 393–406). Public officials must transcend partisan interests and act in a spirit of justice and truth. The search for truth is not a political agenda; it is a moral imperative.

We appeal to all senators, especially to those in leadership, to allow the constitutional process to proceed without obstruction. If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.

Let conscience guide your actions. Let the truth take its course.

✠ Pablo Virgilio S. Cardinal David

Bishop of Kalookan

President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

June 10, 2025

June 12: Bandila at Kandila – A Nation in Prayer

Today, we raise the bandila, a symbol of our love for the country.
We light the kandila, a sign of prayer, discernment, and hope.
Together, they bear witness to our desire for a nation renewed in truth, justice, and peace.

This is our peaceful offering to God and to the nation:
That corruption may not triumph.
That truth may shine.
That justice may be done.
That the Constitution may be upheld.

A Call to the Faithful
We call on our fellow clergy, religious, and people of goodwill:
Let us not grow weary of doing what is right.
Let us walk with the people—not in partisanship, but in pastoral solidarity. Let us be witnesses to the light, especially when darkness threatens to prevail.

May this Independence Day be a moment of grace, renewal, and moral courage.
Let truth set our nation free.

-Clergy for Good Governance

Caritas Philippines 

June 7 at 10:55 AM  · 

Statement on the Impeachment Calls Against Vice President Sara Duterte

From Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, D.D., President, Caritas Philippines

Caritas Philippines, in the spirit of our Alay Kapwa legacy of solidarity with the poor and commitment to justice and peace, urges that any move towards the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte be approached with utmost integrity and respect for upholding the rule of law.

The impeachment trial must no longer be delayed. We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency. Let us be reminded that “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Furthermore, as a Church serving the most vulnerable, we emphasize that any legal or political process must uphold truth and due process, never driven by partisanship or personal gain. The ultimate goal must always be the concern for the welfare of the Filipino people—especially the poor, the marginalized, and those whose voices are often unheard.

Let 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.

We call on everyone to remain vigilant, discerning, and united in prayer—that this chapter in our nation’s journey may lead us closer to genuine peace, good governance, and a more just society for all.

+Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, D.D.

President, Caritas Philippines

June 7, 2025

CMSP JPIC Denounces Senate Delay on VP Duterte Impeachment, Holds Candle Lighting for the Nation

CMSP – Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines was live.

June 5 at 6:42 PM  · 

Consecrated Men and Women Call for Justice in “Misa ng Bayan”

CMSP JPIC Denounces Senate Delay on VP Duterte Impeachment, Holds Candle Lighting for the Nation

June 5, 2025 – San Agustin Church, Intramuros.

In a bold expression of faith and conscience, the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) issued a strong prophetic statement during today’s Misa ng Bayan, denouncing the ongoing political maneuvering in the Senate and the deliberate delay in addressing the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The statement, read after the homily at the 5:30 PM Mass, criticized the leadership of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who has allowed pro-Duterte senators to manipulate the legislative process in favor of political survival. The CMSP JPIC lamented what they described as “a betrayal of public trust and abandonment of the Senate’s constitutional duty.”

“Consecrated men and women do not seek power,” the statement read. “But when truth is silenced and justice is delayed, we are compelled by our Gospel values to speak, to stand, and to act — not with violence, but with the clarity of conscience and the courage of faith.”

The event concluded with a candle lighting ceremony outside the centuries-old San Agustin Church, where members of various religious congregations and lay partners offered prayers for the nation’s healing, leadership, and democratic future.

The CMSP JPIC called on all people of goodwill — religious and lay, young and old — to resist indifference and uphold truth and justice in these trying times.

—

For updates and the full statement, visit:

CMSP Official Facebook Page

#CMSPforJustice #MisaNgBayan2025 #consecratedfortruth

This is not just a political moment.
This is a sacred calling.
A movement of conscience.
Of moral courage.
Of faith that refuses to be silent.

We are not casting stones.
We are casting light.
When truth is twisted,
when trust is betrayed,
when power hides from accountability

We are called to rise.
Not in anger, but in holy resolve.
Not to destroy, but to defend the dignity of our people.
We rise with the Gospel in our hearts
and justice on our lips.

Rise up against impunity.
Rise up for transparency.
Rise up because democracy isn’t a game for the elite.
We have memory.
We have the truth.

We rise, because silence is not an option.
Not now. Not ever.

Rise Up. Speak Out. Demand Trial.

#clergyforgoodgovernance
#ParaSaBayan
#JusticeDelayedIsJusticeDenied

Danny Pilario

June 7 at 4:00 PM  · 

IMPLOSIONS AND EXPLOSIONS

How do we discern the work of the Spirit in the world?

The headlines of big news outlets agree on one work today: “implosion”. “The Musk-Trump Implosion can be Seen from Space” (Time Magazine). “From Bros to Foes: How the Unlikely “Trump-Musk relationship imploded” (AOL). “The relationship between Trump and Mask imploded today.” (CNN).

To implode is “to collapse violently inward.” To implode is to rapidly disintegrate inward due to conflicting internal forces that it could not hold together or external pressures that it has no force to counter.

Commentators are in a quandary how to explain the reasons for the breakup that transformed “bros” into “foes”, a capitalist-political alliance. But one thing is sure: this rapid intense bromance sent people into hiding, separated fathers or mothers from their families, expelled innocent “foreigners” to Latin American prisons, and fanned flames of fear, anger, dissension, faction and pain in many hearts.

Years ago, the same implosion happened in the Philippines. The once “strong”, popular and well-funded political alliance between Duterte and Marcos formed itself into a formidable UNITEAM leading to the 2022 Presidential elections. Public displays of affection between this unlikely couple can easily be searched in the internet.

But their awkward smiles and “sweet protestations” also cover past deeds of death and corruption, cheating and deception. Twenty years of killing and abuse during Martial Law were just swept under the rugs, thanks to parasitic historical revisionist trolls that transformed the Marcos image into a benevolent dictator. The leader who programmed six years of extrajudicial killings and impunity came to the worshipped as a “Tatay”, the “best” president we ever had.

One day, the marriage of convenience just imploded in front of our very eyes, transforming itself into a war between “kadiliman” and “kasamaan”, the peak of which is in the most awaited drama of impeachment about to happen in front of our very eyes.

How do we understand all these events? Where does God work in our socio-political lives?

On this day of Pentecost, it would be good to be reminded by what St. Paul wrote as guide to discerning the fruits of the evil spirit and the Holy Spirit. How do we distinguish these movements of the spirit in our personal, economic and political lives?

In the Letter to the Galatians, St. Paul wrote:

“Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.

“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ[e] have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” (Gal. 5: 16-26).

Implosions are opposite to explosions. Explosion is an expansion of energy outward, beyond oneself.

Upon Jesus’ death, the lives of the Twelve imploded in pain, anger and fear. They hid themselves inside the room in anxiety and sadness.

But the Pentecost exploded their lives. The strong wind and the fire in their hearts drove them outwards to the squares. The spoke bravely and different peoples understood their message of trust, compassion, vindication and God’s peace.

As I journeyed with the victims of Duterte’s violence, I see the fruits of the spirit in their lives. Despite the pain, they now continue to sow compassion, forgiveness, patience, kindness, courage and generosity.

Testimonies of two widows of extrajudicial killings I worked with are unmistakably fruits of the Spirit in our midst.

During the pandemic, one woman said: “Pinatay po ang mga asawa namin ng mga pulis na naka face mask. Pero ngayon, nananahi kami nga face mask hindi para pumatay kundi para mabuhay ang iba.” Such gentleness amidst pain!

After explaining what consequences her testimony to the ICC could mean, I asked one widow if she is not afraid to testify. She told me: “Pinatay na nila ang anak ko, Father. Ano pang ikakatakot ko?” What a courageous spirit!

Ironically, it is the victims, not the powerful, who guide us to the way of the Spirit today.

Courage despite all evil forces around; gentleness in life despite all its pains; generosity despite poverty; compassion despite the wounds inflicted by this cruel society. These are signs of the Spirit around us.

Go to the streets. Do not be afraid. Fight for justice. Proclaim God’s freedom and goodness. Let the world explode with courage, kindness, justice, compassion and peace. This was what the apostles did on Pentecost.

Tell the world that corruption shall not triumph. Honesty does. Tell the world that death is not the last word. Life is.

HAPPY PENTECOST TO ALL.

Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, C.M.

Adamson University

Manila