Organizers warn Filipinos ready to ‘rise up for justice’

Militant groups, civil society organizations, and members of religious congregations will mount a three-day major rally and vigil from June 9 (Monday) to June 11, (Wednesday) to call on the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“We expect larger mobilization efforts. These are times when citizens need to take action. Our institutions and political elites are unwilling to act, so the responsibility falls to the people,” former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said.

“This matter is not just about being anti-Duterte or pro-Marcos. Even those who are neutral or do not have a position on either side see that the process is being disrespected, that justice is not being served, and that our elected officials are not doing their jobs. These individuals will also rise up for justice,” he added.

The Tindig Pilipinas coalition said an ecumenical gathering and people’s march will be launched on Monday from the Film Center to the Senate gate.

On Tuesday, June 10, a people’s vigil will be held at the Senate and on June 11—the day the Senate is expected to begin the trial of the Vice President – will be the “Day of Action for Truth and Accountability” with the rally call: “Malakas ang Ebidensya, Litisan na si Sara” or “The Evidence is Strong, Start the Trial of Sara.”

The coalition is composed of groups such as the Akbayan party-list, the Mamamayang Liberal party-list, the Magdalo party-list, the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network, and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.

In a statement released by Radyo Veritas on Thursday, Fr. Flavie Villanueva said letting the trial commence is “imperative” on the part of incumbent senators of the 19th Congress.

“Impeachment is a moral obligation. Impeachment delayed, justice denied,” Villanueva said.

He said members of the Catholic Church will also hold a three-day prayer vigil scheduled from June 9 to 11 next week to push for the long-delayed impeachment trial of Duterte.

While the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has yet to issue a statement, its social action arm, Caritas Philippines, in March added its voice to the growing push for the Senate to initiate the impeachment trial as soon as possible.

“Once an impeachment complaint is filed, government institutions must act swiftly and decisively,” said Caritas Philippines president Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan.

“Delays and hesitations in the process only weaken our democratic institutions and erode public trust in governance,” he said. “The people are watching, and they deserve to see their leaders prioritize truth and accountability above political maneuvering.”

The Senate received the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives on February 5.

Based on Escudero’s proposed calendar, House prosecutors should have presented the articles of impeachment on June 2, but this was moved to June 11.

This pushed back the timeline, including the issuance of a summons to the Vice President and the pre-trial phase.

For his part, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the impeachment trial will “definitely carry over into the 20th Congress” contrary to the opinion of some of his colleagues.

“It is part of the Senate’s mandate to continue the hearings of the impeachment court since it is a continuing body,” he said.

Gatchalian said the impeachment process is an independent undertaking, separate from the Senate’s usual legislative functions.

The senator said that once convened, the schedule of the Senate as an impeachment court effectively overrides all regular Senate business.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, citing constitutional provisions, supported the view that the impeachment trial must begin immediately after the House prosecutors submit the required articles.

The phrase “shall forthwith proceed,” found in the Constitution, signifies the urgency with which the Senate must act, she said.

“This means it must happen immediately. Right away. Nothing could be clearer,” Hontiveros added.

Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson said the best course of action is to allow the impeachment trial to carry over into the 20th Congress.

Lacson also dismissed the assertion of a draft resolution prepared by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, which claimed that the Senate could declare a de facto dismissal of the impeachment case against the Vice President.

“There is no merit in the draft resolution calling for the de facto dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte. Only the Senate, as an impeachment court, has the jurisdiction to render a decision; the Senate, as a legislative body, does not possess the legal authority to do so,” Lacson said.

“If the senators are not acting as an impeachment court, they lack the authority to dismiss the impeachment case. The only entity that can properly address an impeachment case transmitted by the House is the impeachment court itself,” he added.