MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Senate formally convened as an impeachment court on Monday, opening the historic trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in a high-stakes political proceeding that could determine her future in public office and reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
The proceedings began under heightened security, with more than 6,000 police personnel, including anti-riot units, deployed around the Senate complex. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside, calling for Duterte’s conviction, while the vice president did not personally attend the opening session and was instead represented by her legal team. According to the Senate’s pretrial schedule, the impeachment trial is expected to run for 92 days.
If convicted by at least two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 senators, Duterte could be permanently removed from office and barred from holding any future public position. She has denied all allegations against her.
The Articles of Impeachment, transmitted by the House of Representatives after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the complaint, accuse Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, misusing confidential and intelligence funds, and publicly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The vice president has rejected the accusations and maintained that the impeachment process is politically motivated.
Leading the prosecution panel, Batangas 6th District Rep. Gerville Luistro told the impeachment court that prosecutors possess sufficient documentary evidence and witness testimony to support the charges.
“This is the moment when the republic must demonstrate that laws are applied equally to the powerful and the powerless alike,” Luistro said.
Responding for the defense, lead counsel Sheila Sison questioned whether the prosecution could substantiate its allegations, emphasizing that impeachment should not be used as a political weapon.
“This court, and we as a people, must guarantee that all efforts to hold our leaders accountable must be done right. Impeachment should never be abused,” Sison told the Senate.
The trial unfolds amid the continuing political split between Duterte and President Marcos Jr., who won the 2022 national elections as running mates in an alliance that united two of the country’s most influential political families. The partnership later collapsed over policy differences, governance issues, and competing political interests.
Political observers view the impeachment case as a defining moment before the 2028 presidential race, in which Duterte has publicly expressed her intention to seek the presidency. A conviction would effectively end those ambitions.
The impeachment proceedings also come as the Duterte family continues to face legal challenges. Former President Rodrigo Duterte remains in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague after his arrest earlier this year. He is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 30 over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign. The former president has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings.
Sara Duterte has repeatedly criticized the Marcos administration for cooperating with the ICC in her father’s arrest and transfer to The Hague, further deepening the political divide between the two camps.
The rivalry has also highlighted contrasting foreign policy approaches. President Marcos has strengthened defense and security cooperation with the United States and other allies while taking a firmer stance against China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. In contrast, former President Duterte pursued closer ties with Beijing and Moscow during his administration. The vice president has likewise faced criticism from some sectors for her response to China’s activities in the disputed waters.
The opening of the impeachment trial coincided with legal troubles involving several senators associated with the Duterte bloc. Senator Rodante Marcoleta was arrested Monday on a non-bailable plunder charge related to alleged undeclared campaign donations, an accusation he has denied. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, meanwhile, remains out of public view after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest over his alleged role in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Senator Jinggoy Estrada is also facing a separate plunder case linked to an alleged flood control bribery scheme, although he has denied any wrongdoing.
As the Senate begins hearing evidence and witness testimony in the coming weeks, the impeachment trial is expected to become one of the most consequential constitutional proceedings in recent Philippine history, with significant implications for governance, accountability, and the country’s political future.
DC Alviar
Professor DC Alviar is a tenured associate professor at National University (NU) Manila and a steering committee member of the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO). He has contributed to NU's community extension initiatives that introduced the five disciplines of a learning organization (Senge, 1990) to communities within a local government unit. He writes and edits local reports for Mega Scene. He graduated with Master of Development Communication (MDC) and Doctor of Communication (DComm) degrees from the University of the Philippines (UP) Open University in Los Baños and was awarded with a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) SIKAP grant. He previously served as editor-in-chief of The Adamson News and his high school publication Ang Ugat.
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- DC Alviar
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