The political and moral pressure on the Senate continues to intensify after several Catholic bishops and church leaders publicly backed the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a growing display of concern from the religious sector, bishops from various dioceses echoed the CBCP’s warning that any delay in the impeachment proceedings could undermine public trust in democratic institutions and weaken accountability mechanisms enshrined in the Constitution. (ABS-CBN)

The CBCP earlier urged senators to convene as an impeachment court “at the soonest,” emphasizing that the Senate has a constitutional duty to hear the case once articles of impeachment are transmitted by the House of Representatives. (ABS-CBN)

Church leaders stressed that the issue is no longer merely political, but moral and institutional. Several bishops warned that refusing to proceed with the trial could set a dangerous precedent in which elected officials could evade constitutional accountability through political maneuvering.

The intervention of the Catholic hierarchy comes at a highly volatile moment in Philippine politics, with tensions escalating between the Marcos and Duterte camps following the Senate leadership shakeup and the continuing controversies surrounding allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The impeachment case against Vice President Duterte has become one of the defining political battles leading into the 2028 elections. Analysts note that the outcome may reshape alliances inside the Senate and determine whether the country’s institutions can withstand mounting factional pressures.

House leaders previously confirmed that the articles of impeachment would be transmitted to the Senate this month, setting the stage for what could become one of the most consequential impeachment trials in recent Philippine history. (ABS-CBN)

The CBCP’s intervention also reflects growing unease among sectors of civil society over attempts to delay or derail the proceedings. Religious leaders argued that allowing the process to move forward does not automatically presume guilt, but rather ensures that constitutional processes are respected and evidence is properly examined.

For many observers, the Catholic Church’s entry into the debate signals that the impeachment controversy has evolved beyond partisan politics and into a broader national question of accountability, the rule of law, and democratic stability. (ABS-CBN)