The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Tuesday called on the Senate to promptly convene as an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte, warning that any delay would stall justice and erode public trust.

In a statement titled “Serve the Common Good in the Pursuit of Justice and Truth,” the bishops said the Senate must follow its constitutional mandate after the House of Representatives voted to impeach the vice president and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment for trial.

“We appeal to the Members of the Senate to abide by what the Constitution directs: to proceed with the trial and to decide the case against the Vice President,” the CBCP said, urging senators to summon witnesses, hear testimony and decide based on evidence and “the demands of righteousness and justice.”

The Catholic hierarchy cautioned lawmakers against actions that could be seen as evading their sworn duties or circumventing constitutional requirements, saying the proceedings present an opportunity to restore public confidence in government institutions.

“We make this urgent appeal to not delay the trial and to convene the Senate as an impeachment court at the soonest possible time,” the statement read. “To delay the trial is to delay justice for both the Filipino people and the Vice President.”

The CBCP also called on Filipinos to remain vigilant and engaged, urging the public to monitor the proceedings to ensure a fair and credible trial and to guard against misinformation and manipulation.

The group expressed hope that the constitutional process would lead to the truth and strengthen adherence to the rule of law, which it described as a key pillar of a stable democracy.

The statement was issued ahead of the May 13 feast of Our Lady of Fatima, with the bishops asking for prayers for the country’s leaders and institutions.