‘Mass for Truth’ held ahead of VP Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Clergy for Good Governance offered a Holy Mass on Thursday for the House impeachment prosecution team, urging its members to present their evidence in the case against Vice President Sara Duterte “with courage, clarity, and fidelity to the truth.”

According to its statement, the group convened the Mass as an act of solidarity with the prosecution team ahead of the July 6 impeachment trial.

The Mass was held at 9 a.m. at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City. It was attended by Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, the lead prosecutors, along with five other House prosecutors — Joel Chua, Leila de Lima, Lorenz Defensor, Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, and Ysabel Maria “Bel” Zamora.

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Private prosecutors, including veteran lawyer Lorna Kapunan, joined them.

Fr. Bong Sarabia, CM, served as main celebrant, while Msgr. Mel David of Parañaque delivered the homily.

Leading the Mass were priest-complainants Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, Fr. Bong Sarabia, CM, Fr. Robert Reyes, and Fr. Joel Saballa, together with concelebrators Fr. Niño Etulle, SCJ, Fr. Choi Gliponeo, Fr. Raul “Puti” Enriquez, and Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ.

In his homily, David framed the July 6 trial as a moment of national reckoning.

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“The Filipino people are looking up to July 6 as an opportunity for the whole Filipino people to rise up and walk,” David said.

Addressing the public and private prosecutors, David said their task went beyond courtroom argument, as they carried the burden of helping the public find the truth after years of frustration over the misuse of funds, questionable budget practices, and patronage-driven anti-poverty programs.

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David cited the Catholic bishops’ warning on “the scandalous misuse of public funds and resources,” as well as “questionable insertions, cuts, and adjustments in the national budget,” which he said remained clear to the Filipino people.

He likened the prosecutors’ role to “clearing murky water so that the hidden truth could finally be seen.”

“Dig deep so that truth will finally come out and be seen by the Filipino people,” David said in Filipino.

“You have to take courage, not from human society, but from God. You need wisdom that is not mastered by the knowledge you have, but rather by the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” he added.

David also expressed hope that a clear and truthful presentation of evidence would move senator-judges to decide according to truth.

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“In presenting the truth, I do believe many of our senator-judges will finally be convinced and vote for the truth,” David said. /atm