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Advocates Philippines
Church Groups Press Sara Duterte To Attend Impeachment Hearings
Photo credit: OVP
Several religious groups are urging Vice President Sara Duterte to personally attend the House Committee on Justice impeachment proceedings and respond to the allegations against her.
The call came as lawmakers presented new evidence during a recent hearing, including a report from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) flagging ₱6.7 billion in “covered and suspicious” transactions linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, from 2006 to 2024.
The groups also expressed concern over Duterte’s absence in previous hearings. During those sessions, committee chairperson Atty. Gerville Luistro of Batangas repeatedly called on the Vice President to appear, but received no response.
Religious leaders said her non-attendance has denied the public the opportunity to hear her side.
“It is too unfortunate that Vice President Sara Duterte has chosen not to attend the proceedings, as her presence here would have an opportune time for her to demonstrate her respect for our constitutional processes,” the Diocese of Northern Isabela of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente said in a statement.
“Her absence denies her the opportunity to address the charges filed by impeachment proponents, to present her side clearly and challenge effectively the evidence against her, as a way to let the public gain a better understanding of the various issues that have been raised against her for over a year now,” it added. The statement was signed by Bishop Alvin Valera.
The Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC) made a similar appeal, calling on Duterte to uphold accountability.
“We call on the Vice President to stand by the oath she made to be accountable to our people by appearing at the House investigations and answering the charges filed against her instead of resorting to all sorts of technicalities,” ISACC said.
The group described the allegations as serious, citing the supposed misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, alleged unexplained wealth, discrepancies in her statements of assets and liabilities, and her and her husband’s earnings, as well as alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“These charges, and the supporting evidence for them, should not be allowed to pass without a comprehensive and thorough investigation,” ISACC said.
The organization also pointed to a recent OCTA Research survey showing that seven in 10 Filipinos support the impeachment process.
“This shows that the people, whether pro- or anti-Duterte, want to know once and for all whether the accusations against her are true,” it said.
ISACC stressed that the House impeachment proceedings directly address accountability in the use of public funds.
“Unless transparency and the prosecution of the guilty, whether high or low, becomes the rule and not the exception in this country’s governance, the shameless looting of trillions of pesos as in the flood control scam shall continue,” the group added.
It also urged the public to remain vigilant.
“In this and in all matters, let us heed God’s call: ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly (Leviticus 19:15).’”
The House Committee on Justice is set to hold its final hearing on Wednesday, April 29.
The call came as lawmakers presented new evidence during a recent hearing, including a report from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) flagging ₱6.7 billion in “covered and suspicious” transactions linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, from 2006 to 2024.
The groups also expressed concern over Duterte’s absence in previous hearings. During those sessions, committee chairperson Atty. Gerville Luistro of Batangas repeatedly called on the Vice President to appear, but received no response.
Religious leaders said her non-attendance has denied the public the opportunity to hear her side.
“It is too unfortunate that Vice President Sara Duterte has chosen not to attend the proceedings, as her presence here would have an opportune time for her to demonstrate her respect for our constitutional processes,” the Diocese of Northern Isabela of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente said in a statement.
“Her absence denies her the opportunity to address the charges filed by impeachment proponents, to present her side clearly and challenge effectively the evidence against her, as a way to let the public gain a better understanding of the various issues that have been raised against her for over a year now,” it added. The statement was signed by Bishop Alvin Valera.
The Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC) made a similar appeal, calling on Duterte to uphold accountability.
“We call on the Vice President to stand by the oath she made to be accountable to our people by appearing at the House investigations and answering the charges filed against her instead of resorting to all sorts of technicalities,” ISACC said.
The group described the allegations as serious, citing the supposed misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, alleged unexplained wealth, discrepancies in her statements of assets and liabilities, and her and her husband’s earnings, as well as alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“These charges, and the supporting evidence for them, should not be allowed to pass without a comprehensive and thorough investigation,” ISACC said.
The organization also pointed to a recent OCTA Research survey showing that seven in 10 Filipinos support the impeachment process.
“This shows that the people, whether pro- or anti-Duterte, want to know once and for all whether the accusations against her are true,” it said.
ISACC stressed that the House impeachment proceedings directly address accountability in the use of public funds.
“Unless transparency and the prosecution of the guilty, whether high or low, becomes the rule and not the exception in this country’s governance, the shameless looting of trillions of pesos as in the flood control scam shall continue,” the group added.
It also urged the public to remain vigilant.
“In this and in all matters, let us heed God’s call: ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly (Leviticus 19:15).’”
The House Committee on Justice is set to hold its final hearing on Wednesday, April 29.
Apr 27, 2026
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