The impeachment of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was officially carried out by legislators of the House of Representatives of the Philippines on Wednesday (5/2).
This move was based on several serious allegations, including plotting the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., failing to address China’s aggression in the South China Sea dispute, and involvement in large-scale corruption.
Background of the Impeachment
According to a report from The Guardian, this impeachment was led by lawmakers in the House of Representatives, the majority of whom are allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The relationship between Marcos Jr. and Duterte has long been strained, and this impeachment further deepens the political divide between them.
With this impeachment, a total of 215 legislators have signed the complaint. This number exceeds the required threshold to submit the petition to the Philippine Senate, which will act as the court to try Vice President Sara Duterte.
Also read: Political Turbulence in the Philippines: Duterte and Marcos Families, Friends or Foe?
Allegations Against the Vice President
The impeachment complaint focuses on several key accusations:
- Assassination Threats Duterte is accused of threatening to kill President Marcos Jr., his wife, and the Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, Martin Romualdez. In an online press conference on November 23, 2023, Duterte stated that she had hired an assassin to eliminate Marcos and his family if she were to be killed. She insisted that this threat was not a joke.
- Misuse of Intelligence Funds The Vice President is also accused of misusing intelligence funds allocated to her office. This allegation has further damaged her public image and increased political pressure against her.
- Lack of Firmness Against China Duterte has been accused of failing to confront China's aggression in the disputed waters, known as the West Philippine Sea in the country. The impeachment complaint argues that she has been more vocal on domestic political issues than in defending the Philippines' sovereignty against China's increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
Also read: Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Southeast Asia’s Youngest Vice Presidents
Response and Political Impact
So far, Vice President Sara Duterte has not provided an official statement regarding the impeachment petition. However, her brother, Paolo Duterte, has described the legislators’ actions as a form of political persecution.
According to Paolo Duterte, this impeachment is the result of intense political maneuvering and rivalry. He alleges that there is a systematic effort to remove Sara Duterte from office, especially after she repeatedly criticized President Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte has also accused Romualdez of being a weak leader and claimed there was an attempt to silence her. Speculation has arisen that this impeachment is linked to Romualdez’s rumored intention to run for President of the Philippines in the 2028 election.
Also read: Philippines and South Korea Strengthen Maritime Ties Amid South China Sea Tensions
Escalating Political Dynamics in the Philippines
The impeachment of Sara Duterte marks a new chapter in the political tension in the Philippines. The divide between Duterte and Marcos Jr. supporters is becoming more apparent, despite both being part of the same coalition when they won the 2022 election.
The decision of the Philippine House of Representatives to push forward with this impeachment could have a significant impact on the country’s political stability. If the Philippine Senate proceeds with the trial, Sara Duterte could lose her position as Vice President, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections.
As this situation develops, the world is closely watching how the Philippine Senate will handle the case and how it will affect the political relationship between the pro-Marcos and pro-Duterte factions.
The Future of Philippine Politics
The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte reflects the growing political tension in the Philippines. The serious allegations against her—including assassination threats, fund mismanagement, and failure to address territorial disputes—serve as the main justifications for this impeachment move.
While Duterte's supporters claim that the impeachment is a form of political persecution, Marcos Jr.'s allies insist that it is a necessary step to maintain the stability and integrity of the Philippine government. With the impeachment petition now in the hands of the Senate, all eyes are on the senators’ decision regarding the next steps in this process.
