Sara Duterte: Philippine House backs impeachment of VP
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, whose father is a former president, has been impeached by the House of Representatives amid allegations of multiple crimes. The move paves the way for a trial in the Senate.
Protest against Sara Duterte in Quezon City, Philippines on January 31, 2025
The move to impeach Sara Duterte is a major setback for the powerful Duterte family (FILE: January 31, 2025)Image: Kenosis Yap/ZUMA Press/picture alliance
The lower house of the Philippine Congress voted Wednesday to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the country’s former president.
According to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, 215 of the 306 lawmakers have signed a petition to impeach Duterte, more than enough to be considered for impeachment by the House.
Details of the impeachment have not been released. But the vote follows the filing of three impeachment complaints last month.
They accused Duterte of crimes ranging from the “brazen misuse” of millions of dollars in public funds to plotting the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos.
What will happen next to Duterte?
The next step is a trial in the upper chamber of the Philippine Congress, the Senate.
With enough support from House lawmakers, the impeachment complaint has been ordered to be transmitted to the Senate, which will serve as the impeachment tribunal that would try Duterte.
Two-thirds of the 24 senators must vote for her impeachment to become a reality. A trial date has not yet been set.
Duterte has consistently denied wrongdoing, calling it a political vendetta.
