Philippine House Votes to Impeach Vice President Sara Duterte “`

Thousands of protesters took to the streets urging the Philippine House of Representatives to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte in Manila, the Philippines, on Jan. 31, 2025.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday. A petition to remove her, signed by over 215 legislators—many allied with President Marcos Jr., with whom she has a significant political rift—exceeded the required threshold.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco announced to the lower chamber that the impeachment petition, exceeding the necessary signatures, had been filed.

Following sufficient endorsements, the complaint was forwarded to the Senate, which will act as an impeachment court to try the Vice President, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Vice President, who hasn’t yet publicly responded, and her father have been politically opposed to President Marcos Jr. and his supporters, including a majority of House representatives.

Considered a potential presidential contender after Marcos Jr.’s term concludes in 2028, Duterte has faced at least four impeachment attempts from various lawmakers and left-wing groups based on various allegations.

These included a death threat she allegedly made against the President, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez; alleged misuse of her office’s intelligence funds; and accusations of insufficient response to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

Legislators confirmed that only the most recent impeachment complaint—accusing the Vice President of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, corruption, and other high crimes—signed by 215 legislators, would proceed to the Senate for trial.

The impeachment process might be hampered by time constraints, occurring on the final day of the congressional session before the May midterm elections. A special session could be convened to expedite a Senate trial.

The Vice President’s legal challenges coincide with her increasingly strained political relationship with the President and his allies. In an online press conference on November 23rd, she stated she had hired an assassin to kill Marcos, his wife, and Speaker Romualdez if she were killed, a threat she claimed wasn’t a joke.

She later retracted the threat, claiming it was an expression of concern for her safety.

The House has investigated the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.3 million) in confidential and intelligence funds received by Duterte’s offices as Vice President and Education Secretary. She resigned from the education post following escalating political differences with Marcos Jr.

She resisted detailed questioning during tense televised hearings last year. Duterte also strongly protested the temporary detention of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, for allegedly obstructing the inquiry; Lopez has since been released.

Duterte has accused Marcos Jr., his wife, and Romualdez of corruption, weak leadership, and attempting to silence her amidst speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid.

The National Bureau of Investigation subpoenaed Duterte last year to answer questions about her threats.

Following the threats, the police, military, and national security advisor increased security for the Marcos family.

Marcos Jr. and Duterte won landslide victories as running mates in the 2022 election but have since become political rivals. The Philippines elects its president and vice president separately, resulting in instances where political opponents hold the country’s top offices.

Marcos Jr. and Duterte differ on their approaches to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and their views on the deadly anti-drug crackdown conducted by Duterte’s father, the former President and ex-mayor of Davao.

Her father’s brutal drug crackdown resulted in the deaths of thousands, mostly poor suspects, largely at the hands of the police. These killings are under investigation by the International Criminal Court as a potential crime against humanity.