The Catholic Church’s social action network is mobilizing communities nationwide to press for accountability as the Senate convenes Monday, May 18, as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Caritas Philippines and its nationwide social action network, together with dozens of bishops and clergy, called on Filipinos to organize prayer rallies, bell-ringing campaigns and other civic activities aimed at defending democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law, a copy of their statement furnished by San Carlos Bishop Gerard Alminaza on Sunday said.
“The events in the Senate in the past days make it more important that we peacefully organize as a nationwide network and be vigilant in safeguarding our democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law,” the group said in its statement, a report from the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) website said.
The network said the initiative is intended to unite Filipinos beyond political loyalties and religious affiliations, calling the impeachment process as a broader test of civic responsibility rather than a partisan contest.
“We have been going through many challenges and crises the past years,” the statement said, citing corruption scandals, economic hardship and broader governance concerns.
The mobilization follows an earlier appeal from Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, who urged the public to remain vigilant to ensure “a fair and credible trial”.
Caritas urged Filipinos to pray daily at noon and evening for senators, prosecutors, defense lawyers and public officials, asking that they “see clearly, choose well, and act right.”
The campaign also encourages churches and homes to ring bells, light candles and distribute only fact-checked information about trial developments to local communities.
Organizers said the effort is designed to resist “division, deception, hatred, and indifference,” while promoting civic responsibility, transparency and accountability as the trial unfolds, the CBCP report added.*
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