MANILA, Philippines – Kinondena ng Franciscans from the Province of San Pedro Bautista ang inilarawan bilang “political maneuverings” sa Senado na tila naglalayon umano “to protect vested interests and shield” Vice President Sara Duterte.
Matatandaan na nagpalit ng liderato ang Senado nitong Lunes, Mayo 11, matapos makakuha ng 13 boto si Senador Alan Peter Cayetano para palitan si Senate President Vicente Sotto III sa posisyon.
Ito ay kasabay ng pagboto ng Kamara sa articles of impeachment laban kay Duterte.
Ayon sa Franciscans, ang mga pangyayaring ito ay sumasalamin sa “painful spectacle” kung saan ang “political loyalty” ay pinahahalagahan higit sa kapakanan ng democratic institutions at pinahihina ng “fear, compromise, and partisan calculation.”
“This is not merely politics. This is a moral issue. This is a question of truth,” sinabi ni Minister Provincial Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM.
“To deliberately obstruct, delay, manipulate, or neutralize this constitutional mechanism for the sake of political preservation is a grave betrayal of public trust and an offense against the very foundations of democracy,” dagdag pa niya.
Ani Redoblado, ang Franciscans “cannot remain silent when truth is sacrificed for convenience, when power protects itself while the poor continue to suffer, and when those entrusted to serve the people choose political survival over moral integrity.”
“The Senate is not called to protect dynasties or political ambitions. It is called to defend truth, justice, and the Constitution.”
Nagbabala rin ang religious order sa umano’y paglago ng kultura ng impunity sa gobyerno, at sinabing ang pananahimik at kompromiso sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan ay magdudulot ng pagsasagawang normal sa pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan at pagpapahina sa democratic accountability. RNT/JGC
