Bacani: Lawmakers elected to serve Filipino people, not individuals or political parties

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MANILA, Philippines — The duty of lawmakers, particularly during critical processes like impeachment, must rise above party lines and personal loyalties, Novaliches Bishop-Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said.

During his homily on the Feast of the Ascension on Sunday, May 17, Bacani said that elected officials are obligated to uphold truth and the Constitution, serving the Filipino people above all else.

“Ang bawat congressman man at ang bawat Senador ay inihalal inihalal upang maging lingkod ng bayan maging lingkod ng bayang Pilipino hindi maglingkod para sa isang tao kahit na gaano ka popular hindi para maglingkod sa isang partido inihalal ibinoto natin sila to be the servant of the Filipino people,” Bacani said during a Mass at the EDSA Shrine on Saturday, May 16.

(Every congressman and every senator was elected to be a servant of the people—to serve the Filipino nation. They were not elected to serve a single individual, no matter how popular, nor to serve a political party. We voted for them to be the servants of the Filipino people.)

He also emphasized that the impeachment should proceed forthwith, as stated in the Constitution. 

“Forthwith agad-agad! Sabi, agad-agad,” Bacani said.

“Bilang lingkod ng bayan, 'Pag nakita ninyong tunay na nagnakaw at nakita ninyong talaga namang malaki ang ninakaw at nag-betray ng tiwala ng Pilipino, remember, public office is a public trust,” Bacani said.

(As servants of the people, when you see that someone has truly stolen, and you see that they stole an massive amount and betrayed the trust of the Filipino people, remember: public office is a public trust.)

Bacani reminded lawmakers of their constitutional duty, emphasizing that when presented with clear evidence, they must prioritize the public interest over political loyalty. 

He also called on lawmakers, whom he said are servants of the people rather than allies of Vice President Sara Duterte, and urged them not to dismiss evidence simply to protect political ties.

“Sabi nga ng ating tanyag na presidente, Presidente Quezon, sabi niya, ‘My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.’’ Tandaan po natin 'yan,” Bacani said.

(As our famous president, President Quezon, once said, ‘My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.’ Let us all remember that.)

The mass was also attended by impeachment prosecutors from the House of Representatives, including Rep. Leila De Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Party-list), Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list), Rep. Lawrence Defensor (Iloilo, 3rd District) and Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District).