House Vote and Allegations
The Philippine House of Representatives has voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for a second time, potentially barring her from a planned 2028 presidential run. The impeachment case stems from allegations of unexplained wealth and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos. The House, dominated by Marcos' allies, voted 257-25 with nine abstentions to advance the impeachment proceedings to the Senate.
Grounds for Impeachment
The articles of impeachment focus on the alleged misappropriation of public funds, unexplained assets, and bribery of public officials. Representative Gerville Luistro said the complaints included undisclosed bank transactions and misuse of confidential funds from her time as vice president and education secretary. The case also cites a late-night online press conference in 2024, where Duterte said she told someone to "if I get killed, go kill BBM [President Marcos], [First Lady] Liza Araneta, and [House Speaker] Martin Romualdez".
Senate Trial Uncertainty
The impeachment process now moves to the Senate for trial, where a guilty verdict would remove Duterte from office and prevent her from holding elected positions. Unlike the House, conviction in the Senate is uncertain. Shortly before the impeachment vote, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who had vowed to immediately put the vice president to trial, was ousted by 13 of 24 senators. Sotto told reporters that he and his allies would insist that the proceedings against the vice president should be immediately taken up once submitted.
Defense and Political Context
Duterte described the case as "nothing more than a scrap of paper" and refused to appear in committee hearings, calling them politically motivated. Her defense counsel said the burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims. Representative Leila de Lima responded to allegations by Duterte's followers, stating that "Impeachment is not political persecution." In March, a survey by Manila pollster WR Numero showed that Duterte holds a 17-point lead over her nearest rival.
Fallout and International Implications
The impeachment comes amid escalating tensions between Duterte and Marcos, who were running mates in 2022. Marcos allowed the International Criminal Court to arrest Rodrigo Duterte and detain him at The Hague, where he awaits trial for crimes against humanity. The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for Sen. Roland dela Rosa for the crime against humanity of murder of "no less than 32 persons" allegedly committed between July 2016 and the end of April 2018.
With the impeachment moving to the Senate, the political landscape in the Philippines faces uncertainty, as shifting alliances and the outcome of the trial will determine Duterte's future and the stability of the government.
