In a historic move, the Philippines House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on February 5, making her the second-highest official in the country to face such a charge. The impeachment, which stems from allegations of corruption and threats against top officials, marks a dramatic escalation in Duterte’s political career. The impeachment complaint gained significant traction, with 215 lawmakers supporting it—a majority that easily surpassed the necessary one-third of the 306-member chamber required to approve the articles of impeachment, as reported by The Inquirer. 

The charges levelled against Duterte include the misuse of public funds during her tenure as vice president and education minister, accusations of amassing unexplained wealth, and allegedly threatening the lives of key political figures, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and the House Speaker. Duterte, however, has vehemently denied all wrongdoing.

While the impeachment vote in the House marks a significant step in the legal process, the matter is far from settled. The Philippine Senate, which must act as the impeachment court, will not convene to review the case until after the midterm elections in June, as reported by Reuters. Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed that the impeachment process cannot move forward until Congress reconvenes, as senators must swear an oath to serve as jurors before proceeding. This delay has raised questions about the political implications of the case as it unfolds against the backdrop of the upcoming elections.

Notably, Duterte’s impeachment has sparked debate, with some analysts arguing that the move could galvanise her support, particularly after her break with President Marcos. Despite Marcos publicly stating his opposition to the impeachment, his son, Representative Sandro Marcos, was the first to sign the impeachment document, and his cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, was the 215th signatory.

The impeachment marks a new chapter in the Duterte family's political legacy, with Vice President Sara Duterte now facing unprecedented legal challenges. As the Senate prepares to take up the matter, the political future of the Philippines’ second-highest official hangs in the balance.