The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte begins Monday, with the outcome determining whether she can run for the presidency in 2028. The case comes amid rising public anger over alleged government corruption.
Who is Sara Duterte and what are the charges?
Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, faces allegations of misusing public funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribing officials, and threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first lady. She has previously denied all allegations. Duterte was impeached on similar grounds last year but avoided trial after the Supreme Court declared the move unconstitutional on a technicality. In May, the House of Representatives impeached her again.
The Senate will now judge whether there is merit to the case. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote from the Senate.
Why is this trial significant?
More than 6,000 police officers, including anti-riot squads, were deployed to secure the Senate on Monday, where pro- and anti-Duterte demonstrators were expected to gather, highlighting the trial's political volatility. A guilty verdict would bar Sara Duterte from public office and derail her 2028 presidential bid, where she is currently seen as the frontrunner.
Many view the case in the context of an ongoing political feud between the Duterte and Marcos families. The two families joined forces for the 2022 elections, which they won in a landslide, but major rifts have since emerged. The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte and his pending trial at the International Criminal Court is a major flashpoint. An overwhelming majority in the lower house, dominated by Marcos allies, voted to bring Duterte's case to trial.
What are the specific charges?
The charges include misuse of funds under her office as vice-president, discrepancies in financial statements, bribery, and cash payments to officials. Additional charges relate to alleged threats to the lives of the president and his wife, based on a November 2024 press conference. Duterte later said the comments were misinterpreted. She has generally denied the charges but has refused to publicly answer the allegations in detail ahead of the trial. Her supporters accuse Marcos and his key aides of political persecution.
How will a decision be reached?
A conviction requires two-thirds of the Senate to vote for it. Maria Ela L. Atienza, political science professor at the University of the Philippines, said given the current Senate composition, there is a 50/50 chance Duterte will be convicted. However, all evidence has yet to be presented, and public opinion will be a powerful factor for senators' votes. The trial is expected to last months. Once both parties finish presenting evidence, the impeachment court will deliberate and vote on each charge. While impeachment complaints against high-ranking officials are common in the Philippines, no politician has ever been convicted.
What has been the reaction?
The trial has proven divisive and heightened political polarisation, said Jean Encinas-Franco, a professor of political science at the University of the Philippines. Filipinos are increasingly frustrated with perceived corruption, with protests calling for not only the vice-president's conviction but also transparency from all leaders, including Marcos's promises of accountability after a massive scandal involving ghost flood protection projects. "People are getting impatient with political leaders," said Atienza. "However, there are also allies and supporters of the vice-president conducting their own protests and propaganda, claiming that the vice-president and her family are victims being targeted by the Marcos administration."
