The Philippine political landscape faces significant upheaval as impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte commence Monday before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice. The hearings will evaluate four separate impeachment complaints alleging grave constitutional violations by the vice president, potentially culminating in her removal from office.
This development marks the second impeachment attempt against Duterte within two years, though she previously avoided a full Senate trial through procedural challenges and political maneuvering by allies. The current proceedings unfold alongside parallel legal challenges facing her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who confronts charges at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
The political drama intensified last week when Duterte announced her presidential candidacy for the 2028 elections, though authorities confirmed this development would not impact the ongoing impeachment process. The Marcos-Duterte political alliance has completely fractured, with the final break occurring after the vice president allegedly declared contracting an assassin to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in 2024.
Supporters of the Dutertes perceive these simultaneous legal challenges as a coordinated effort by the Marcos administration to eliminate their political dynasty from national relevance. The House justice committee now has 60 session days to determine whether the impeachment complaints meet the required standards of form and substance to proceed to trial.