The One Negros Ecumenical Council (ONEC) on Friday, June 20, called on the people to demand that the Senate and the House of Representatives proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“We call on fellow church leaders, communities, and all people of goodwill to demand that the Senate and the House fulfill their constitutional and moral duties. The impeachment trial must proceed — not to serve the interests of any political faction, but to affirm that in this nation, no one is above the law,” the statement said.
ONEC expressed “deep alarm and moral indignation” over the Senate’s decision to remand the impeachment complaint against
Duterte back to the House of Representatives.
“This move, executed under the guise of procedural clarity, is a betrayal of constitutional duty and a grave affront to the values of accountability, justice, and integrity that lie at the heart of public service and Christian ethics,” ONEC said.
The allegations against Duterte are serious and deeply troubling, ONEC said, citing her alleged misuse of over ₱612.5 million in confidential and intelligence during her tenure as vice president and education secretary.
“This amount represents stolen futures for millions of Filipinos, especially in marginalized provinces like Negros. In a region where many communities suffer from landlessness, hunger, and the absence of basic services, this plunder constitutes moral and spiritual violence,” ONEC said.
“President Marcos Jr., in remaining silent and distant from this process, bears responsibility for allowing impunity to thrive. His silence is not neutrality—it is complicity,” it said.
The 18 senators who voted to remand the impeachment complaint have betrayed their oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the people,” it added.
The ONEC statement was signed by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza – its chairperson, retired Rev. Virgilio Amihan Jr. of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente – co-chairperson, and Bishop Fely Tenchavez of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines – council member.*