Philippine Lawmakers Vote to Send Articles of Impeachment Against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate
Impeachment Proceedings Initiated
On Wednesday, Philippine lawmakers voted to send articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate, a day before the current congressional session is set to end. This move follows the filing of a trio of complaints last month, which accused Duterte of various crimes, including the "brazen misuse" of millions of dollars in public funds and plotting President Ferdinand Marcos’s assassination.
Background
The vote was approved by more than one-third of the membership of the House of Representatives, with a total of 215 members supporting the motion. House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced the approval, stating that "the motion is approved."
Consequences for Duterte
Duterte’s fate now lies in the hands of the Philippines’ 24 senators, two-thirds of whom must vote for her impeachment to make it a reality. A trial date has yet to be set. This development comes at a critical time, with campaigning for mid-term elections set to begin days before the current congressional session ends, widely expected to set the table for the 2028 presidential race.
Tensions between Duterte and Marcos
The relationship between Duterte and President Marcos is at a nadir, with their former alliance giving way to a months-long public battle that has seen the trading of wild accusations, including an alleged death threat that remains under investigation. Marcos had previously urged Congress not to pursue Duterte’s impeachment, calling it a "storm in a teacup" that would distract the legislature from its primary responsibilities.
Reactions and Protests
A public relations official told AFP that the Senate was expecting the articles of impeachment to arrive at its security office around 7:00 pm. House of Representatives member Percival Cendana, who had backed one of the three impeachment complaints, urged his colleagues to take quick action at a rally on Friday that drew thousands calling for Duterte’s impeachment. He stated that "every day of inaction condones the impunity, the abuse of power and the harassment that Duterte is doing to our country’s leaders."
In contrast, a conservative sect organized a rally on January 13, drawing hundreds of thousands to the street to oppose the vice president’s impeachment.
Background on Duterte’s Political Career
Duterte was widely tipped to succeed her father Rodrigo as president in 2022 elections but stepped aside to back Marcos and later ran for vice president on his ticket. However, the alliance has since imploded, with Duterte delivering an expletive-laden speech in November, saying she had ordered someone to kill Marcos if she herself was assassinated. She later denied that her comments constituted a death threat, stating she had only been expressing "consternation" with the administration’s failures.
Conclusion
The fate of Vice President Sara Duterte now hangs in the balance as the Senate prepares to consider the articles of impeachment. The outcome of this process will have significant implications for the Philippines’ political landscape and the country’s leadership.
FAQs
Q: What is the nature of the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte?
A: The complaints accuse Duterte of various crimes, including the "brazen misuse" of millions of dollars in public funds and plotting President Ferdinand Marcos’s assassination.
Q: What is the next step in the impeachment process?
A: The articles of impeachment will be sent to the Senate, where two-thirds of the 24 senators must vote in favor of impeachment for it to proceed.
Q: What is the significance of the mid-term elections in this context?
A: The mid-term elections are expected to set the table for the 2028 presidential race, making the outcome of the impeachment process a crucial factor in shaping the country’s political landscape.