Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte impeached, faces Senate trial

Manila: Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, following a petition signed by more than the required 215 legislators, many of whom are allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with whom she has been politically at odds.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed the impeachment petition was endorsed by 215 lawmakers, providing enough support for the impeachment move. The petition was then transmitted to the Senate, which will now serve as an impeachment tribunal and oversee Duterte's trial.

Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has had ongoing political conflicts with President Marcos, who has had significant influence over the House. Despite the impeachment proceedings, Duterte has not yet publicly commented on the situation.

The impeachment stems from multiple allegations, including a death threat against President Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, misuse of intelligence funds, and her failure to confront Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. The latest complaint accuses her of violating the constitution, betraying public trust, and engaging in corruption and high crimes.

Duterte's impeachment follows a series of complaints filed by legislators and left-wing groups. Despite the serious charges, her legal team may face challenges in pursuing a swift trial due to the upcoming midterm elections in May, which will bring new members to both the House and Senate. A special session may be called to expedite her trial.

Notably, Duterte's legal troubles come amid a long-standing feud with Marcos and his allies. One of the most controversial incidents occurred in November 2023, when Duterte allegedly threatened to hire an assassin to kill Marcos and his allies, a remark she later claimed was made out of concern for her own safety. Additionally, the House has investigated the alleged misuse of intelligence funds, including 612.5 million pesos (USD 10.3 million) allocated to her office.

Duterte has denied any wrongdoing, accusing Marcos, his wife, and Romualdez of corruption, weak leadership, and an attempt to silence her as she considers a potential run for president in 2028. She has faced heightened security in the wake of the threats and ongoing investigations.

The impeachment marks the latest chapter in the tense political landscape between the Marcos and Duterte families, both of whom won landslide victories in the 2022 elections. However, their differences, particularly regarding policies on China and the controversial anti-drug campaign of her father, have led to a breakdown in their relationship.

The outcome of the impeachment trial is expected to have significant political implications for Duterte and her future political ambitions.

With PTI inputs