Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte impeached for second time
The Senate trial could begin as early as Wednesday.
The Philippine Congress voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte Monday for the second time for allegedly misusing public funds.
The vote in the House of Representatives to impeach Duterte was lopsided, with 257 of 290 lawmakers voting in favor.
Duterte’s impeachment will now face a Senate trial.
If Duterte is convicted, she will be immediately removed and barred from holding public office, ending her hopes of a presidential run.
If Duterte is not convicted, she would be protected from being impeached again for two years.
Duterte is a leading candidate for the 2028 election to be the next president of the Philippines.
The Senate trial could begin as early as Wednesday.
The House voted in favor of impeaching Duterte last year but the procedure never advanced to the Senate because the Supreme Court blocked the impeachment.
Duterte refused to participate in committee hearings over the investigation into the allegations against her.
Her attorneys said Monday after the House vote that “the burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims.”
The Senate is made up of 24 senators.
The allegations against Duterte center on her gaining wealth after becoming mayor of Davao in 2019, as well as her use of funds as vice president.
“Our vote today is not a declaration of guilt, it is a declaration that when serious allegations are raised against one of the highest officials of the land, Congress cannot look away,” said Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.
The misuse of public funds is not the only controversy to follow Duterte.
Last year, she claimed to have arranged for former running mate President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to be killed if she were killed.
This preceded the House’s 2025 impeachment vote.
Marcos is not eligible to run for reelection in 2028 as he will meet his term limit.
