CandeloIn a historic and unprecedented move, the Philippine House of Representatives has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, marking the first time a sitting vice president faces such proceedings in the nation’s history. The impeachment, approved on February 5, 2025, encompasses a range of serious allegations, including corruption, plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., involvement in extrajudicial killings, and incitement to insurrection and public disorder.
Background: The Marcos-Duterte Alliance and Subsequent Rift
Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was elected as vice president in 2022 alongside President Marcos under the UniTeam Alliance. Initially, their partnership appeared robust, with Duterte appointed as the Secretary of Education. However, tensions emerged over time, particularly concerning Duterte’s preference for the defense portfolio and disagreements with key figures in the administration, including House Speaker Martin Romualdez and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. These disputes culminated in Duterte’s resignation from her cabinet position in June 2024 and public acknowledgments of a strained relationship with President Marcos.
The Impeachment Complaints: A Chronology
The impeachment process against Duterte began in December 2024, with multiple complaints filed by various groups:
1. December 2, 2024: The first formal impeachment complaint was lodged, citing 24 articles, including graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. Specific allegations encompassed her alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings and failure to oppose China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
2. December 4, 2024: A second complaint was filed by 70 activists led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, focusing on the alleged illegal use and mishandling of confidential funds, accusing Duterte of gross abuse of discretionary powers.
3. December 19, 2024: A third complaint was submitted by a coalition of religious workers, lawyers, and civil society members, accusing Duterte of betrayal of public trust.
4. February 5, 2025: The fourth and most significant complaint was endorsed by 215 members of the House, surpassing the constitutional requirement of one-third of the House’s membership. This complaint consolidated previous allegations and introduced new charges, including plotting to assassinate President Marcos, his wife, and Speaker Romualdez.
Key Allegations Detailed
The Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte encompass several grave accusations:
Assassination Plot: Duterte allegedly contracted an assassin and plotted to murder President Marcos, the First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez, as she publicly admitted during a live broadcast. This act is cited as a betrayal of public trust and a culpable violation of the constitution.
Misuse of Confidential Funds: She is accused of misusing and misappropriating confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, constituting graft, corruption, and betrayal of public trust.
Bribery: The impeachment articles allege that Duterte bribed high-ranking Department of Education officials, violating anti-corruption laws.
Extrajudicial Killings: Duterte is linked to extrajudicial killings during her tenure as mayor of Davao City and during her father’s presidency, implicating her in murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Destabilization and Insurrection: She is accused of committing acts of destabilization, sedition, and insurrection, further betraying public trust.
The cumulative conduct outlined in these articles portrays a pattern of behavior deemed detrimental to the integrity of the vice-presidential office and the nation’s democratic institutions.
Political Dynamics and Responses
The impeachment has intensified the existing rift between the Marcos and Duterte political families. Notably, President Marcos’s son, Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, and Speaker Romualdez were among the signatories of the impeachment complaint. While President Marcos publicly opposed the impeachment, describing it as inconsequential to the lives of Filipinos, the overwhelming support in the House indicates significant political momentum against Duterte.
In response to the impeachment, Duterte remarked that being rejected by a romantic partner was worse than the impeachment itself, expressing, “God save the Philippines.” Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has offered to join her legal defense team, signaling a robust defense strategy as the proceedings advance to the Senate.
Next Steps: The Senate Trial
With the House’s approval, the Articles of Impeachment have been transmitted to the Senate, which is constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial. A two-thirds majority vote (16 out of 24 senators) is required to convict and remove Duterte from office. The timing of the trial is pivotal, as the Senate is currently on break and set to resume sessions on June 2, 2025. Given that 12 senators’ terms expire on June 30, the composition of the Senate could significantly influence the trial’s outcome. Some legal experts suggest that the President could call a special session to expedite the proceedings, emphasizing the constitutional mandate that the “trial by the Senate shall proceed forthwith.”
Public Opinion and Implications
Public sentiment regarding the impeachment is mixed. A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2024 indicated that 41% of Filipinos agreed with the impeachment, 35% disagreed, and 19% were undecided. Regional differences were notable, with higher support for impeachment in Luzon and lower support in Mindanao, Duterte’s home region.
The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte represent a critical juncture in Philippine politics, reflecting deepening political divisions and raising questions about governance, accountability, and the rule.
