How will Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial unfold?

MANILA. The Philippine House of Representatives has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, paving the way for a rare and high-profile impeachment trial in the Senate.

Here is a breakdown of how the trial will proceed, past impeachment cases in the country, and the constitutional process that follows:

How Will the Trial Be Conducted?

The House of Representatives has appointed members who will serve as prosecutors in the trial. The Senate will then convene as an impeachment court, with Senate President Francis Escudero presiding. Duterte will have the right to legal defense, and the 24 senators will act as judges who will decide the case.

When Will the Trial Begin?

Although the impeachment complaint was transmitted to the Senate on February 5, the upper house can only act on it starting June 2, when Congress resumes session after the May 2025 midterm elections. This was confirmed by Senate President Escudero, as 12 out of 24 Senate seats will be contested in the upcoming election.

What Are the Charges Against Vice President Duterte?

The impeachment complaint accuses Duterte of violating the Constitution, graft and corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust. Specifically, she is alleged to have:

• Misused public funds while serving as Vice President and Education Secretary
• Amassed unexplained wealth
• Threatened the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez

Duterte has repeatedly denied these allegations, maintaining that she has done nothing wrong.

How Long Will the Trial Last?

There is no fixed duration for an impeachment trial in the Philippines. The length will depend on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the number of witnesses, and the volume of evidence presented. For comparison, the 2012 impeachment trial of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona lasted five months.

What Is Required to Convict an Impeached Official?

A conviction in an impeachment trial requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. This means that at least 16 out of 24 senators must vote in favor of conviction.

What Happens If Duterte Is Convicted?

If convicted, Duterte would be removed from office and permanently barred from holding any future government position, effectively ending any potential bid for the presidency.

Who Will Succeed Duterte as Vice President?

If Duterte is removed from office, President Marcos Jr. will nominate a successor from among the members of the Senate or House of Representatives. The nominee must then be confirmed by a majority vote in both chambers, voting separately.

How Many Officials Have Been Impeached in the Philippines?

Sara Duterte is the fifth top official in Philippine history to face impeachment. The previous cases include:

• Former President Joseph Estrada (2000) – His trial was aborted after prosecutors walked out.
• Former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez (2011) – Resigned before trial.
• Former Chief Justice Renato Corona (2012) – Convicted and removed from office.
• Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista (2017) – Resigned after impeachment.

Duterte’s impeachment trial is set to be a significant political event, with potential implications for the 2028 presidential elections and the country’s broader political landscape.

With reports from Reuters.