As the Philippine political landscape continues to shift dramatically, a looming impeachment vote against Vice President Sara Duterte encapsulates the deepening rift within the nation’s leadership. This latest chapter not only reflects personal and familial rivalries but also symbolizes the broader challenges facing the Philippines, including economic uncertainty amid a global energy crisis. The outcome of this vote could reshape the country’s political future, particularly as Duterte eyes a potential presidential run in 2028.
Mindanao, Philippines — The Philippine House of Representatives is set to initiate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, marking her second impeachment attempt. This political maneuver comes in the context of ongoing tensions between the Duterte family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., deepening the political turmoil in the country even as it grapples with significant economic challenges fueled by a global energy crisis.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte outlines serious allegations, including violations of the constitution and breaches of public trust linked to the alleged misuse of confidential government funds, failure to disclose her wealth, and bribery related to threats against Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Notably, among the charges are claims referencing suspicious private bank transactions flagged by the country’s anti-money laundering agency, amounting to over 0 million.
Terry Ridon, a member of the House and one of the key complainants, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The scale of these transactions cannot be reasonably explained by lawful income, declared assets, or the businesses and professional activities attributed to the couple.” He further asserted that the impending vote represents a “constitutional act of accountability” rather than a mere political endeavor.
For the impeachment to advance, it requires securing a third of the votes within the House, a threshold reportedly met by early May, according to sources from Duterte’s stronghold in Mindanao. A previous impeachment attempt in 2025 received 215 votes in favor, surpassing the one-third majority needed at the time, but was later nullified by the Supreme Court over technicalities.
To remove Duterte from office, a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate would be necessary. The political alliance between Duterte and Marcos, formed during the 2022 elections, has since fractured, leading to tensions marked by the elder Duterte’s legal challenges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the current impeachment proceedings against the vice president, who has signaled intentions to run for president in 2028.
In a recent declaration, Duterte voiced that whatever the final outcome of the impeachment may be, it is ultimately “written by God.” Reflecting on her meeting with her father, she stated that her future, beyond the impeachment, is predetermined, demonstrating a nuanced perspective amid the political instability that surrounds her.
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