Election Shakeup: Vote on Vice President Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Looms

Lawmakers in the Philippines will decide on Monday whether to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, a move that could block her 2028 presidential bid. The House Justice Committee last month found enough grounds for impeachment after activists accused her of misusing public money, building hidden wealth, and threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , his wife, and former House speaker. Because President Marcos can only serve one term, many see Duterte as the next likely leader. She has apologized for helping Marcos win in 2022, after they ran together and won separate landslide victories. Duterte insists she did nothing wrong; her lawyers call the complaint “defective” and a “fishing expedition. ”The vote is scheduled for Monday, confirmed by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil and Justice Committee member Leila de Lima. If a third or more of the lower house supports impeachment, the Senate must hold a trial where senators act as jurors. A conviction would strip her of office and bar her from politics. This effort adds to a string of challenges for the Duterte family. The vice president is under pressure from her feud with Marcos, while her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces an ICC trial over a controversial drug war. The House previously voted to impeach Sara but the Supreme Court halted it due to a procedural error. In February, Marcos survived his own impeachment attempt after Congress dismissed it. Supporters of the current motion gathered outside Congress, chanting “Impeach Sara Now. ” Left‑wing Congressman Perci Cendana said the vote would be historic for democracy.