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MANILA, Philippines — The political landscape in the Philippines has taken a dramatic turn as the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, citing a plethora of serious accusations. These allegations include plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., engaging in large-scale corruption, and failing to denounce China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, a region embroiled in territorial disputes.
Political Rift Deepens
This impeachment move deepens the already bitter political rift between two of the nation’s highest leaders. Marcos, who has fostered stronger defense ties with the United States, contrasts sharply with Duterte’s father, Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration had cultivated close relations with China and Russia during his term, which ended in 2022.
At least 215 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment complaint, significantly surpassing the number needed to expedite the case to the Senate, which will serve as the trial venue. House of Representatives Secretary-General Reginald Velasco confirmed the House’s decision in what would be its last session before a four-month recess.
Notable Signatories
The impeachment complaint boasted endorsements from notable allies of President Marcos, including his son, Rep. Sandro Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The petition calls for the Senate to convene as an impeachment court, ultimately seeking to convict Duterte, remove her from office, and bar her from holding any public position in the future.
According to the complaint, “Duterte’s conduct throughout her tenure clearly displays gross faithlessness against public trust and a tyrannical abuse of power that, taken together, showcases her gross unfitness to hold public office and her infidelity to the laws and the 1987 Constitution.” These assertions are particularly damaging and highlight a significant shift in public sentiment.
Duterte’s Response
While Vice President Duterte has yet to publicly respond to the impeachment decision, her brother, Rep. Paolo Duterte, characterized the vote as a “clear act of political persecution.” He posits that rival lawmakers quickly gathered signatures to bypass due process and advance a “baseless impeachment case” to the Senate.
This contentious political climate follows a campaign where Duterte ran alongside Marcos in 2022 on a platform emphasizing unity. Their electoral success, however, has quickly unraveled into mutual distrust and accusations.
A Legacy of Controversy
The backdrop of this political turmoil is rooted in the legacies of strongman leadership. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the son of the late dictator ousted in the 1986 People Power Revolution. Meanwhile, the previous administration, led by Rodrigo Duterte, launched a controversial anti-drug campaign now under investigation by the International Criminal Court for potential human rights violations.
Impeachment Allegations
The impeachment complaint encapsulates a series of explosive allegations against Vice President Duterte. Key accusations include making a death threat against President Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Romualdez. This chilling quote from an online news conference aired on November 23, in which she allegedly asserted that she had contracted an assassin, raised alarm bells regarding her intentions.
While she later clarified her comment was rooted in expressing personal safety concerns, the incident ignited further scrutiny and investigations at the national level.
Corruption Claims Emerge
Additionally, allegations of graft surfaced from a televised investigation regarding the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.5 million) in confidential and intelligence funds tied to her office. Following a deterioration of political relations with Marcos, she vacated her position as education secretary.
Duterte also faces accusations of unexplained wealth and failure to disclose financial assets as mandated by law. Despite pressure during previous hearings, she largely refrained from providing detailed explanations.
Challenges to Marcos’s Authority
The impeachment complaint outlines Duterte’s challenges to Marcos’s administration, including her overt criticism of the government’s response to territorial disputes with Beijing. Her description of the situation as a “fiasco” only serves to illustrate the divide between them.
Moreover, her silence on China’s aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea is seen as a significant failure by many lawmakers. The impeachment petition argues that her evasiveness on key issues related to Philippine sovereignty contradicts her verbose comments on unrelated topics.
A Complicated Future
Vice President Duterte has repeatedly leveled accusations against President Marcos and his associates, alleging corruption and a deliberate effort to stifle her political ambitions amidst speculation regarding her own presidential aspirations in the upcoming 2028 elections.
The unfolding events signal a potentially transformative moment in Philippine politics, as the outcomes of the impeachment trial could reshape alliances and influence the future of governance in a nation still grappling with the echoes of historical strongman rule.
