Philippine lawmakers are set to vote on Monday on whether to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, in a move that could significantly impact her expected presidential run in 2028.
The impeachment push follows findings by a House justice committee last month, which identified probable cause in a petition filed by activists. The allegations include misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and alleged threats made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife, and a former House speaker.
Duterte, once a political ally of Marcos before their alliance collapsed, remains a leading contender for the 2028 presidency as Marcos is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election. She has previously acknowledged supporting Marcos during the 2022 election campaign, when both won their respective posts by wide margins.
She has denied all accusations, with her legal team dismissing the impeachment petition as flawed and politically motivated, describing it as a “fishing expedition”.
The scheduling of the House vote was confirmed by officials including House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil and Representative Leila de Lima, a member of the justice committee. If at least one-third of the lower house supports the impeachment, the case will proceed to the Senate for trial, where senators will act as jurors. A conviction could result in Duterte’s removal from office and a ban from holding public office.
The impeachment attempt adds to mounting political pressure on the Duterte family, already embroiled in a long-running feud with the Marcos administration. Former president Rodrigo Duterte is also facing legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court over his controversial anti-drugs campaign.
This is not the first time Sara Duterte has faced impeachment efforts. A previous attempt last year was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to procedural issues.
If successful, she would become one of the highest-ranking officials in Philippine history to be impeached, following a small number of predecessors who either resigned, were acquitted, or were convicted in past political trials.
President Marcos has distanced himself from the proceedings, while public demonstrations have emerged outside Congress, with supporters and critics voicing opposing views over the case.
