AP reported that, in a shocking political move, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was officially impeached on February 5, with a series of serious allegations, including a plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and large-scale corruption.
With at least 215 Housemakers, including the son of President Sandro Marcos and Speaker of House of Representatives Martin Romualdez, signed the impeachment, Ms. Duterte is facing the risk of losing her position and is banned from holding public positions. This is a serious escalation in the conflict between the two greatest powerful factions of the Philippines: the Marcos family and the Duterte family.
The lawmakers accused Ms. Duterte of threatening to hire an assassin for President Marcos Jr., his wife and Speaker of the House of Representatives Romualdez if she was killed. This statement immediately caused concern about national security and led to a widespread investigation.
In addition, she was also accused of being involved in the corruption scandal of 62.5 million pesos ($10.5 million) from the intelligence fund and the secret fund of the Vice President and the Ministry of Education. Many lawmakers criticized her for her lack of financial transparency as well as assets that had not been fully declared according to the law.
The Dutterte family called it a “political retaliation” when Ms. Sara Duterte could become Mr. Marcos Jr. in the 2028 presidential election. Her brother, MP Paolo Duterte, criticized the impeachment as a "political blow" to eliminate a potential opponent of Mr. Marcos.
When the impeachment was transferred to the Senate, the entire Philippines was holding their breath waiting for further developments. If convicted, Ms. Duterte will not only lose her position but will also be banned from participating in politics permanently, ending the political ambitions of the Duterte family in the Philippines.
