FACT: VP Duterte’s impeachment prosecution panel will be the ‘voice of God’ – priest

Sebastian Janapin

A publication material from Ang Balita Ngayon Facebook page saw a priest claiming that the House prosecution panel for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial are the ‘voice of God.’

CLAIM

The publication material includes a quote from Reverend Monsignor Melchor “Mel” David calling the House prosecution panel of VP Duterte’s impeachment trial the ‘voice of God,’ indirectly showing his support for the panel.

RATING: FACT

CONCLUSION

Msgr. David’s statement was indeed delivered during his homily at the “Mass for Truth, Justice and Accountability” on July 2. The quote used in the publication material is accurate and faithfully reflects his actual remarks, without any fabrication or alteration.

The homily was broadcast through the live coverage of The Manila Times, with a total runtime of [1:00:26], and the quoted statement appears between [15:19 and 15:48] of the livestream, confirming that it was taken directly from the homily and presented in its proper context.

THE FACTS

• The said mass took place in Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City last July 2 as a form of support and spiritual guidance for the prosecution panel before they start the impeachment trial today, July 6.
• The mass was attended by the lead prosecutor, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, House prosecutors reps, such as Leila de Lima, Lorenz Defensor, Joel Chua, Ysabel Maria Zamora, and Kaka Bag-ao, as well as private prosecutors Lorna Kapunan and Marforth Fua. 
• The post quickly gained several ‘haha’ and ‘angry’ reactions, as well as striking comments from Duterte supporters stating that the priest said those words because he received a ‘luggage’ from the authorities.
• Msgr. David particularly stated during the homily: “[Kayong] mga itinalaga sa prosecution of this impeachment trial of the Vice President will be the voice of God, addressing the Filipino people to rise up and walk through your courageous and truthful presentation of evidences that will finally bring darkness at the back of our human history and bring light to the life of the Filipino people.”

THE BOTTOMLINE

Rev. Mel did claim that the House prosecution panel is the ‘voice of God.’ The panel is the ‘right hand’ of every Filipino who wants to ensure that the trial will proceed based on their timeline, the facts are tried objectively, and the witnesses’ testimonies are strong enough to prove VP Duterte’s four articles of impeachment.