MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte is set to commence when Congress reconvenes in June, as stated by the Philippine Senate president on Thursday. He emphasized the intention to prevent a recurrence of the stalled impeachment proceedings seen in 2001, which led to significant protests and the downfall of a president.
On the previous day, the House of Representatives moved forward with the impeachment of Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing multiple allegations such as her involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate the current president, large-scale corruption, and her failure to vocally oppose China’s assertive strategies against Filipino forces in the contested South China Sea.
A substantial majority, at least 215 members of the House, signed the impeachment complaint, greatly surpassing the minimum requirement. This enabled a swift transition of the case to the Senate, which is expected to act as the impeachment court. Notably, this announcement came just before Congress’ four-month recess.
Vice President Duterte has not publicly responded to the impeachment news; however, her brother, Rep. Paolo Duterte, condemned the action as a politically motivated attack. He claimed that rival lawmakers hastily gathered signatures to propel a “groundless impeachment case” to the Senate.
According to Senate President Francis Escudero, legal stipulations require that the impeachment court must be convened and senators sworn in as jurors only when the Senate resumes its sessions on June 2. He stated, “Legally, it cannot be done,” in response to questions regarding the possibility of a special Senate session to address the impeachment trial earlier than scheduled.
Critics and activists, however, maintain that the Senate should expedite the trial process. Cristina Palabay, a representative of a human rights group, asserted that delays in the Senate’s handling of the impeachment could hinder the essential drive for accountability.
The move by House legislators, many allied with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., intensifies an ongoing political division between two of the nation’s top leaders in what is considered one of Asia’s liveliest democracies. Among the signatories of the impeachment petition were the president’s son, Rep. Sandro Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is also a cousin of the president. The petition aims to have Duterte removed from office and barred from any future public positions.
Impeachment trials in the Philippines often lead to heightened political tensions, especially in a country historically marked by political strife. The impeachment proceedings against then-President Joseph Estrada in early 2001, which included allegations of corruption and bribery, stalled over a critical vote, sparking massive protests that ultimately resulted in his resignation.
In addressing concerns about potential unrest during Duterte’s impeachment trial, Escudero noted that early measures are being taken to ensure the court’s credibility and fairness, insisting that all sides must have the opportunity to present their views.
The allegations in the impeachment complaint highlight a past threat made by Duterte against the president, his wife, and the House speaker. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding her usage of intelligence funds and her perceived inaction regarding Chinese aggressions in the contested South China Sea.
During a press conference in November, Duterte remarked that she had “contracted an assassin” targeting the president and his family if her life were in danger, stressing that it was not meant as a joke. She later clarified that her intentions were misunderstood and that her remarks were centered on her own safety.
Accusations of corruption against Duterte emerged from a televised House investigation that scrutinized the alleged misuse of approximately 612.5 million pesos (around $10.5 million) in confidential and intelligence funds tied to her roles as vice president and as secretary of education. She resigned from her education role amid escalating political tensions with President Marcos.
While denying any wrongdoing, Duterte has been reticent in providing detailed responses during the contentious televised hearings. The impeachment complaint emphasized her undermining of the Marcos administration, particularly criticizing its approach to territorial disputes with China as a “fiasco,” and pointed to her lack of vocal opposition to China’s increasingly aggressive maneuvers in the contested waters.
