THE House prosecution team sought divine help through a Holy Mass offered by Catholic priests for “truth, justice and accountability” ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday.
The Mass was celebrated on Thursday at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City, and was organized by the Clergy for Good Governance led by convener Fr. Robert Reyes.
In attendance were lead prosecutor and House Committee on Justice chairman Rep. Gerville Luistro, and prosecutors Representatives Leila de Lima, Lorenz Defensor, Joel Chua, Ysabel Maria Zamora and Kaka Bag-ao.
Private prosecutors Lorna Kapunan and Marforth Pua were also in attendance.
The Mass was presided by Fr. Bong Sarabia, one of the complainants of Duterte’s impeachment case, alongside Msgr. Mel David, who delivered the homily.
Concelebrating the Mass were Fr. Niño Etulle, Fr. Choi Gliponeo, Fr. Raul “Puti” Enriquez and Fr. Manoling Francisco.
David said in his homily that the “whole Filipino people” are looking up to them.
“Carry out your duties with courage — but not a courage that comes merely from within your own heart. Rather, let it be the courage that comes from the heart of our Lord — the heart that constantly beats with love for the poor, love for the truth, love for justice and love for peace,” David said in Filipino and English.
He also prayed that God would provide the prosecution team throughout the trial and beyond, expressing hope they would one day be recognized as “faithful and trusted servants” for fulfilling their duty with integrity and fidelity to truth.
Luistro responded by saying that they are drawing their strength from the support of Filipinos.
“We acknowledge our limitations. We acknowledge our imperfections. We acknowledge all our insufficiencies. But let me tell you, my dear brothers and sisters, all your prayers overpower them. All your support overpower them,” Luistro said.
She also called on Filipinos not to pray for them but also for the defense, the senator-judges and the country. However, she said, she also prayed for the conviction of Duterte.
“It is because we believe that Filipinos deserve better leaders. Filipinos deserve a better nation. Filipinos deserve a better republic. Please walk with us. Please join us. Please be with us until the conclusion of this impeachment trial,” Luistro said.
“Join us as we pray for the conviction of the respondent in this impeachment trial,” she added.
Duterte’s impeachment trial is slated to begin on July 6, Monday, where she will be tried on four articles of impeachment: betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
She is accused of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds during her tenure as vice president and education secretary, amassing billions of pesos in unexplained wealth, bribing Department of Education personnel, and making public threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte has categorically denied all the charges, saying that the articles are “flawed” and should be dismissed outright.
