Public hearings on the impeachment case against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte have started in Congress. The impeachment trial is the latest in an explosive feud between the country's two main political dynasties - the Duterte and Marcos families, whose powerful political alliance has since unraveled.
Sara Duterte, 47, is accused of misusing public funds and threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. If convicted, she will be removed as vice-president and barred from seeking election in 2028.
Duterte has denied the allegations, claiming the hearings are a political 'fishing expedition.'
Who is Sara Duterte?
Vice-President Sara Duterte is the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity during his infamous 'war on drugs.' Sara’s alliance with Marcos, formed for the 2022 elections was touted as a 'political dream team' following their landslide victory. However, as separate political agendas emerged, the alliance quickly deteriorated.
While the vice-president has no official duties beyond awaiting the president's potential incapacitation, she recently announced her candidacy for the presidency in 2028.
The early signs of friction emerged when Duterte publicly expressed a desire to become defense secretary but ended up as education secretary. Allegations of misusing public funds stem from her two-year tenure in that position. She defends herself against the charges, labeling them as harassment.
The Beginning of the Impeachment Process
Impeachments in the Philippines usually involve significant political upheaval. Under Philippine law, the House of Representatives can impeach officials, including the president and vice-president, for offenses such as treason, graft, and corruption.
The current hearings began on March 25, with the House Committee on Justice evaluating evidence against Duterte and her responses. If the committee finds sufficient grounds, the case will be passed to the House plenary for a vote.
Sara Duterte is at risk of political extinction; a conviction would prohibit her from running for office. Polls show her as a favored candidate with a 55% approval rating against Marcos’s 36%. If the conviction goes through, Marcos could possibly favor a compliant successor.
The Duterte-Marcos feud represents a significant turning point in Philippine politics, marking a saga where only one family’s legacy may endure.
