Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte has been impeached for the second time by the House of Representatives, facing allegations of misusing public funds, amassing unexplained wealth, and threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife. The impeachment, backed by an overwhelming majority of lawmakers allied with Marcos, now moves to the Senate for trial. If convicted, Duterte would be banned from public office, effectively ending her plan to run for president in 2028.
Background of the Case
Sara Duterte, daughter of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, previously ran alongside Marcos in a joint campaign but has since become his fierce political rival. The complaints against her include bribery and misuse of funds during her tenure as vice-president and education secretary. Additionally, she is accused of threatening Marcos, his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez during an online press conference, where she stated she would have them killed by an assassin if she were killed herself. Duterte later claimed her comments were misinterpreted and denied any wrongdoing.
Senate Trial and Political Implications
In the Senate, a conviction requires a two-thirds majority of its 24 members. Analysts note that Duterte enjoys stronger support in the Senate compared to the House, as candidates aligned with her family performed well in recent midterm elections. Shortly before the impeachment vote, the Senate elected Alan Peter Cayetano, a longtime Duterte ally, as its president. Cayetano, who served as foreign secretary under Rodrigo Duterte, denied his appointment was linked to the impeachment.
This is the second impeachment of Sara Duterte by the lower house. The first, on similar grounds last year, was dismissed by the Supreme Court on a technicality. Her defense counsel stated, "The burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims in accordance with the constitution, the law, and rules on evidence."
Broader Political Context
Despite legal battles, the Duterte family remains a powerful force in Philippine politics. Sara Duterte leads early opinion polls for the 2028 presidential election. Her father, Rodrigo Duterte, faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court over his deadly "war on drugs." President Marcos Jr., who survived separate impeachment efforts in February, has distanced himself from the case against his former ally, denying any wrongdoing.
