MANILA – Philippine legislators will cast ballots Monday determining whether to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, a decision that could significantly impact her anticipated 2028 presidential campaign.
Last month, a house justice committee determined there was sufficient evidence to support impeachment proceedings based on an activist petition. The charges include allegations of public fund mismanagement, acquiring wealth without explanation, and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his spouse, and the previous house speaker.
Duterte stands as the leading candidate to replace Marcos in 2028, as constitutional restrictions prevent him from seeking a second term. She has expressed regret for supporting Marcos’ rise to power in 2022, when they campaigned together and secured overwhelming electoral victories before their relationship soured.
Duterte maintains her innocence, while her attorneys have characterized the petition as flawed and described it as a “fishing expedition.”
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil and Representative Leila de Lima, who serves on the justice committee, confirmed Monday’s voting schedule.
Should more than one-third of the lower chamber support impeachment, the Senate must conduct a trial with senators serving as jurors. A conviction would result in Duterte’s removal from office and prohibition from future political participation.
POLITICAL DYNASTY FACES CHALLENGES
This impeachment attempt represents another blow to the powerful Duterte political dynasty. The vice president continues facing pressure from her bitter conflict with Marcos, while her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, awaits International Criminal Court proceedings related to his anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths during his 2016-2022 administration.
The house previously voted to impeach Sara Duterte last year, but the Supreme Court later overturned that decision due to procedural errors.
Should she be impeached, Duterte would become the highest-ranking Philippine official to face such proceedings since former President Joseph Estrada in 2000, whose trial ended abruptly when prosecutors withdrew.
Three other senior officials have faced impeachment: an ombudsman and election commission leader who both stepped down before trial, and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who remains the only official convicted through this process.
Marcos successfully avoided a separate impeachment attempt in February when his congressional supporters voted to dismiss it. He has maintained distance from the proceedings targeting his former running mate.
Dozens of impeachment supporters assembled outside Congress Monday, shouting slogans and displaying signs reading “Impeach Sara Now.”
Left-wing Congressman Perci Cendana joined the demonstration, expressing confidence in securing sufficient votes for impeachment and calling it a “historic day for democracy.”
