Duterte Impeachment Deepens Marcos Feud Before Philippines Vote
(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines’ House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, a move that could fan political turmoil as the Southeast Asian nation heads to midterm election in May.
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Duterte will face trial before the Senate after 215 of the more than 300 House members — or more than the required one-third vote — backed an impeachment complaint against her on Wednesday. Under the rules, two-thirds of the 24-member Senate is needed to convict an impeached official.
The vice president’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Her brother, Congressman Paolo Duterte, criticized the “politically motivated efforts to railroad” the impeachment.
Duterte’s impeachment — a first for a vice-president — heightens the political risk in the nation that’s been rocked by the public spat between her family and the clan of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Their alliance unraveled after their landslide 2022 elections win due to differences in domestic and foreign policies, heightened by accusations of drug use and an assassination threat.
The fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte accusing her of fund misuse, corruption and betrayal of public trust and issuing a death threat against Marcos was sent straight to the Senate, without the typical committee hearings to deliberate on its substance.
The three previous complaints against the vice president, which centered around her alleged misuse of public funds, were shelved. Duterte has denied the allegations.
It’s unclear when Duterte’s Senate trial will start. Congress will adjourn sessions this week, and is scheduled to resume in June — or after the midterm elections in May. An impeachment trial could result in Duterte’s removal and disqualification from holding office, according to the Constitution.
“The trial can cause the realignment of political forces, especially if evidence of brazen abuse of funds and power can be presented by the prosecution,” said political analyst Earl Parreno. He said there may not be enough time for the trial to be concluded since the term of current lawmakers would end by June 30.
Marcos signaled last month that he doesn’t support moves to unseat Duterte, saying it won’t help improve Filipinos’ lives, and will preoccupy Congress.
His government is contending with rising risks to economic growth, including sluggish investment, consumption and farm output, at a time when uncertainties from Donald Trump’s presidency heighten global challenges.
Popularity ratings of both Marcos and Duterte have taken a hit amid the dispute. The family of former President Rodrigo Duterte however still holds sway, particularly in the southern regions of Mindanao. A rally organized by a religious group backing the vice president drew over a million attendees last month.
The Southeast Asian nation has a history of impeaching government officials, most notably former President Joseph Estrada and the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.
--With assistance from Cecilia Yap, Ditas Lopez and Cliff Venzon.
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