Filipino archbishop warns Marcos against ‘selective’ justice of impeachment trial

‘If wrongdoing is proven, those responsible must be held accountable and punished accordingly, regardless of political party or influence. Justice must never favour only the powerful or the politically convenient.’

The leader of the Philippines’ largest diocese urged the president to investigate a corruption scandal allegedly involving his allies, even as his vice president faces an impeachment trial.

Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr against perceptions of “selective” justice – an accusation often made by supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte, who was Marcos’ closest ally and now his staunchest opponent.

The 47-year-old Duterte faces a Senate impeachment trial for allegedly misusing around £7.4 million in discretionary funds and plotting to kill Marcos and at least two of his relatives.

Marcos, 68, and his cousin, Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, have also been implicated in anomalous flood control projects worth billions of pesos.

“As Archbishop of Cebu and as a fellow Filipino, I humbly appeal to the president, to government leaders and to all responsible agencies and authorities: please show our people that the investigation into the flood control scandal is being pursued seriously, sincerely, and without favouritism,” said Uy, 59, in a pastoral letter.

“If wrongdoing is proven, those responsible must be held accountable and punished accordingly, regardless of political party or influence. Justice must never favour only the powerful or the politically convenient.”

Uy, a bishop since 2017, also appealed to his fellow Filipino bishops “that we continue speaking clearly and courageously in defence of truth, justice, accountability, and the common good”.

“We should be just as strong in urging a swift and credible investigation into the flood-control anomalies as we are in calling for the proper constitutional process regarding the impeachment case,” he said.

In their own statement, an organisation of Filipino Evangelical Christians also sought fairness in the flood control investigation and Duterte’s impeachment trial. 

“We call for transparency and integrity in all inquiries. However, justice must not be selective. We demand the impartial investigation of every corruption offence, whether committed by an ally or adversary, past or present. Selective justice is no justice at all,” said the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches in a statement signed on 15 May.

“We summon the Church to humility, prayer, and fasting,” it continued. “We are in a spiritual battle against principalities that corrupt our institutions and souls.”

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