In a historic and lopsided vote on Monday, the Philippine House of Representatives moved to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for the second time, citing the alleged misuse of public funds.
The motion passed with an overwhelming majority, as 257 of the 290 lawmakers present voted in favor of the articles of impeachment. The case now moves to the Senate, which will serve as the impeachment court.
High Stakes for 2028
The outcome of the upcoming Senate trial will define the future of Philippine politics. Sara Duterte is currently considered a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election.
- If Convicted: She will be immediately removed from office and permanently barred from holding any public position, effectively ending her presidential ambitions.
- If Acquitted: Under Philippine law, she would be granted immunity from further impeachment proceedings for a period of two years.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
The articles of impeachment center on a series of financial controversies spanning her time as the Mayor of Davao (2019) and her current tenure as Vice President. Specifically, investigators have scrutinized:
- Unexplained wealth accumulation during her local executive roles.
- The controversial use of “confidential funds” as Vice President.
Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., who supported the motion, clarified the House’s position during the session:
“Our vote today is not a declaration of guilt; it is a declaration that when serious allegations are raised against one of the highest officials of the land, Congress cannot look away.”
A History of Turmoil
This marks the second time the House has sought to remove Duterte. A 2025 impeachment attempt failed to reach the Senate after it was blocked by a Supreme Court ruling.
The political climate has been further strained by Duterte’s increasingly volatile relationship with her former running mate, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Last year, she faced immense backlash after publicly claiming she had arranged for the President’s assassination in the event that she herself was killed—a statement that fueled the momentum for this latest impeachment drive.
The Road Ahead
The Senate, comprised of 24 senators, is expected to begin the trial as early as Wednesday. Duterte has largely refused to participate in the preceding committee hearings, and her legal team maintained on Monday that the “burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims.”
With President Marcos ineligible for reelection in 2028 due to term limits, the trial is widely viewed as a battle for the very soul of the next administration.
