There is such a thing as practice what you preach. And if Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), needs to be reminded, he has to realise that demanding for following what the Constitution dictates begins with himself.
Yes, Cardinal David needs to knock his head with the time-honored principle of separation of Church and State enshrined in the 1987 Constitution to ensure that governance remains free from religious influence. Unfortunately, Cardinal David has blatantly disregarded this principle by inserting himself into the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. His assertion that impeachment is a “moral imperative” is not only inappropriate coming from a Church leader but a direct interference in the affairs of the State—something that must be strongly denounced.
Under Article II, Section 6 of the Constitution, “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.” This provision exists to safeguard governance from religious intervention, ensuring that political decisions are based on law, due process, and the will of the people—not the influence of religious leaders. Cardinal David’s attempt to pressure lawmakers into following his moral stance on impeachment is a clear violation of this constitutional safeguard.
Clearly, this is nothing but political interference. By insisting that senators must treat impeachment as a “solemn mandate”, he is imposing religious authority on a constitutional process, disregarding the fact that the Senate’s duty is legal, not moral. The impeachment of a sitting Vice President is a matter of evidence, due process, and constitutional procedure—not a religious decree to be dictated by the Church.
David’s claim that “to delay, dismiss, or ignore such a process for reasons of political convenience is to betray the Constitution” is in itself ironic. The real betrayal of the Constitution occurs when religious figures like Cardinal David attempt to influence government affairs, undermining the very principle that ensures the State remains independent of ecclesiastical control.
What Cardinal David failed to comprehend is that the Senate’s recent vote to remand the impeachment case to the House of Representatives was a procedural decision made within the framework of the Constitution. It is not for the Church to determine whether this action is just or unjust.
Curiously, the CBCP, along with other Catholic institutions has openly urged the Senate to proceed with impeachment. While they are entitled to express their views, their collective interference in a constitutional process is a dangerous overreach that threatens the integrity of governance. To set things straight, the Philippines is a democracy, not a theocracy. The Church must recognize that it has no authority over the affairs of the State. Cardinal David cannot close his eyes on that.
The impeachment process must be guided by law, evidence, and due process—not by religious doctrine or moral imperatives imposed by the clergy. The Senate, as an institution of the State, must act independently, free from external pressures that compromise its constitutional integrity.
Cardinal David’s actions set a worrisome precedent. If religious leaders are allowed to dictate how the government should function, where does it end? Will the Church now decide the fate of elected officials? Will lawmakers be forced to adhere to the will of bishops rather than the Constitution?
We believe that the nation deserves a fair, impartial, and constitutionally sound impeachment process—one that is free from political maneuvering and religious intervention.
