Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte gestures as she delivers a statement following her impeachment by the lower house of the Congress, in her office at Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Feb 7, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
MANILA — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has again been impeached by the lower house, a little over a year after an earlier impeachment against her was voided on constitutional grounds.The new complaint once again accused Duterte, the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, of misusing public funds, accumulating unexplained wealth, and threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the first lady, and a former House Speaker. Duterte has denied all accusations. Her lawyers described the complaints as "defective" and characterised the impeachment proceedings as a "fishing expedition".
What happens after the lower House votes?
Under the Philippine Constitution, once the House impeaches an official, the case is transmitted to the Senate, which must convene as an impeachment court, with senators serving as judges and the Senate president presiding. However, in practice, the process may not be straightforward. In 2025, the Senate took the unusual step of returning an impeachment case against Duterte to the lower house to clarify its constitutionality. Past impeachment cases have also been derailed when officials resigned before the proceedings concluded.
