A faith-based group on Tuesday officially launched its “People’s Impeachment” campaign as part of efforts to gather one million signatures to convince the Senate to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The People’s Impeachment Movement—an alliance of priests, pastors, laypeople, and faithful citizens of the Philippines dedicated to cleansing our nation from corruption—expressed confidence that it can muster one million signatures in a month, enough to convince the Senate to commence with Duterte’s trial and eventually convict her for her wrongdoings.
“Nalulungkot po ako na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin kumikilos ang Senado para simulan na ang pagdinig nito. Ang sabi po ni Senate President Chiz Escudero ay wala daw pong clamor para umpisahan na kaagad ang impeachment trial,” said Fr. Bong Sarabia, a co-filer of the third impeachment complaint against VP Sara and a member of PIM, during a press conference following the group’s “Sunog Sala, Kontra Abo (Abusive Behavior and Oppression) ceremony at Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning, Quezon City.
“Kaya minabuti po namin na ngayong umaga, kasama po ang iba’t ibang miyembro ng mga religious organizations, na ilunsad ang People’s Impeachment Movement. Ito po ay samahan ng mga iba’t ibang religious groups at sectoral representatives na lumalaban sa pananamantala at pang-aabuso,” he added.
The group insisted that the Senate should start the impeachment proceedings even on recess, saying the Constitution mandates that such proceedings must begin forthwith and without any delay.
“Hindi man po ako abogado pero ayon po sa mga eksperto, malinaw po ang sinasabi ng Saligang Batas na forthwith! Ibig sabihin, kaagad. Hindi sa susunod na buwan, hindi sa Hulyo! Kaya nananawagan po kami sa Senado, agaran nang umpisahan ang impeachment trial ni VP Sara Duterte. This is their moral obligation,” Fr. Flavie Villanueva insisted, adding, “Kung ayaw po ng Senado na umaksyon, ang taumbayan po ang sama-samang kikilos para sila ay umaksyon.”
The action is also aimed at ensuring that the Senate respects due process and the recommendations of the House of Representatives from its numerous hearings on the anomalous use of public funds by VP Sara Duterte.
They also emphasized the necessity of convicting the Vice President, arguing that it would thwart the Duterte family’s attempt to regain power and prevent the country from returning to the hardships and abuses of the previous administration.
“Huwag nating hayaang bumalik pa ang kalupitan at karahasan sa nakaraang administrasyon. Ngayon pa lang, pigilan na natin ang tangka ng mga Duterte na makabalik sa kapangyarihan,” Randy delos Santos, uncle of EJK victim Kian delos Santos, said.
The group also called on like-minded organizations and individuals to join their cause, urging them to stand united in ensuring that Duterte is convicted and eventually barred from running for any public office.
“Ang pagkilos na ito ay una pa lang sa marami pang pagkilos para kumbinsihin ang Senado na simulan na ang impeachment hearing ni Sara. Kami lang ang magsisimula at magsisindi ng apoy sa labang ito,” Fr. Dionito Cabillas of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente said.
“Marami nang grupo at mga indibidwal ang nagpahayag ng intensiyong sumama at sila’y lilitaw rin sa mga susunod na araw para samahan kami sa pagkilos na ito,” he added.
Before the press conference, the group burned seven dried palm leaves symbolizing the seven deadly sins of the Duterte administration alongside seven family members of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
These sins include pagnanasa sa kapangyarihan (lust for power), inggit (envy), kasakiman (greed), katakawan (gluttony), katamaran (sloth), galit (wrath), and kayabangan (pride).
“Nakita natin na hindi karapat-dapat si VP Sara na maging lingkod bayan. Mas inuna pa niya ang pagkamal ng salapi kaysa sa edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Huwag na natin siyang bigyan ng espasyo sa gobyerno. Mangyayari lang ito kung sisimulan na ng Senado sa lalong madaling panahon ang impeachment,” Fr. Joel Saballa emphasized.
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Ang People’s Impeachment Movement ay isang alyansa ng mga pari, pastor, layko, at tapat na mamamayan ng Plipinas na nakatuon sa pagwakas ng ating bansa mula sa korapsyon at pang-aabuso.