In a major political shakeup that has sent shockwaves through the Philippines, the country’s House of Representatives delivered a historic vote on Monday, approving the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte by an overwhelming margin over a trio of serious allegations. The accusations leveled against Duterte include undeclared unexplained assets, the improper use of public government funds, and even threats to arrange the assassination of sitting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Dominance of Marcos Jr.’s political allies in the lower chamber shaped the final outcome, which landed at 255 votes in favor of impeachment to just 26 votes against, with nine lawmakers choosing to abstain from the historic ballot. Two separate impeachment complaints brought against the vice president will now advance to the Philippine Senate, where the upper legislative chamber will be convened as a formal impeachment tribunal to conduct Duterte’s trial.
Duterte, who is the daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, one of the country’s most polarizing and influential modern political figures, has issued a general denial of all wrongdoing connected to the allegations. She has not, however, addressed the specific criminal claims brought against her in any public detailed response.
This is not the first time the vice president has faced an impeachment vote: in 2023, the House similarly advanced impeachment proceedings against her, but Duterte avoided a Senate trial after the Supreme Court ordered the attempt halted on a constitutional technicality. It remains unclear whether the new impeachment attempt will face similar legal challenges, or if the Senate tribunal will move forward to weigh the merits of the accusations against the country’s second-highest elected official.