Archbishop Socrates Villegas has criticized recent Senate actions, saying they aim to delay the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and shield Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, a leader of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, issued a pastoral letter on Thursday condemning developments in the Senate. The 66-year-old prelate, former head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, described the moves as a brazen exercise of power meant to derail the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Villegas said the sudden change in Senate leadership was intended to protect Senator Ronald dela Rosa. He noted that dela Rosa faces a valid arrest warrant linked to the deaths of more than 6,000 suspected drug pushers during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte. “It is obscene. It is unbelievable that men and women called ‘honorable’ could do such a brazen exercise of power,” Villegas stated.
Last Monday, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected Senate president with 13 votes, unseating Vicente Sotto III. Supporters of dela Rosa later clashed with police outside the Senate building. Villegas called on the public to reject corrupt officials in future elections and apply constant moral pressure for reform without violence.
The CBCP Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue urged calm and prayer. Bishop Colin Bagaforo said leaders must rise above partisan interests and allow truth and justice to prevail.
