Historical impeachment trial of vice president Duterte begins in the Philippines

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte began on Monday, marking a politically significant case that analysts say could severely impact her plans to run for president in 2028, LRT reports.

Senate President Shervinas Gatchalian announced the start of the proceedings just after noon. Duterte did not attend the opening, opting instead to be represented by her lawyer.

“The burden of proof lies with the accusers,” she stated. “The decision to participate through a lawyer, rather than appear in person, does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency.”

More than 6,000 police officers were deployed to secure the Senate building amid expectations that supporters and opponents of Duterte would gather as the 92-day trial commenced. This is the first time a sitting vice president has faced impeachment by senator-judges in the Philippines, and the first impeachment trial of any government official in 14 years.

Duterte faces allegations of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife. A conviction in the Senate would remove her from office and permanently bar her from holding any public position, including running in the 2028 presidential election.

Analysts note that even an acquittal after the months-long, televised trial could politically weaken Duterte. Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is currently detained and awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity during his bloody anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2022.

Marcos Jr. had urged Duterte to attend the trial in person. Over the weekend, he expressed hope that the vice president would respond to the allegations directly rather than through her legal team. “If the accused could answer personally, the process would naturally be clearer and simpler,” he said.

Duterte and Marcos Jr. ran on the same ticket in the 2022 elections, but their alliance began to fracture in 2023 due to political disagreements. Duterte resigned from the cabinet in June 2024.