Philippine Supreme Court Dismisses Impeachment Case Against VP Sara Duterte

 

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has voided the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling the move unconstitutional. The impeachment, filed and passed by the lower house of Congress in February, accused Duterte of serious charges including misuse of public funds, accumulation of questionable wealth, and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. While the court did not clear Duterte of these allegations, it emphasized that the process of impeachment violated the Constitution, rendering the charges invalid in law. The ruling shields her from being banned from holding public office for life, which would have been the consequence of a conviction in an impeachment trial. This legal outcome is seen as a major win for Duterte amid ongoing political tensions with President Marcos. The two leaders have been locked in a power struggle that has intensified over the past year. The Supreme Court’s decision effectively halts the impeachment proceedings and clears the way for Duterte to continue in her role as vice president without the shadow of a looming trial.

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The dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of the Philippines. Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is widely viewed as a leading candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. The current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is barred from running again due to term limits, making Duterte’s positioning especially significant. Duterte has maintained that the impeachment effort was politically driven, rooted in her feud with Marcos and his allies. She has denied all allegations, labeling them as part of a coordinated attempt to derail her rising political career. Her father, Rodrigo Duterte, remains a controversial figure due to his violent anti-drug campaign, which has drawn international condemnation. He is currently in the custody of the International Criminal Court, though he denies any wrongdoing. Despite this, the Duterte name still commands loyalty from a large segment of the Filipino population. With this ruling, Sara Duterte emerges from a major legal challenge with her political future intact. The development could solidify her base and position her as a key figure in the post-Marcos political era.

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