Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has emerged victorious from a significant legal challenge after the Supreme Court of the Philippines struck down an impeachment complaint against her, deeming it unconstitutional. This ruling, although not an acquittal of the charges, could substantially boost Duterte’s political ambitions, particularly her prospects for the 2028 presidency.
The impeachment complaint, filed in the House of Representatives, accused Duterte of misusing public funds, amassing unusual wealth, and threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and the House Speaker. These allegations stemmed from her tenure as Education Secretary under the Marcos administration. Duterte faced three impeachment complaints related to alleged misconduct and misuse of millions of dollars in government funds.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant setback for President Marcos, who had supported the impeachment proceedings. A conviction in an impeachment trial would have resulted in Duterte being banned from office for life. However, with the Supreme Court’s ruling, Duterte’s political future looks brighter, and she remains a strong contender for the 2028 presidency, a position Marcos cannot contest due to single-term limits.
Duterte has maintained that the impeachment proceedings were politically motivated, arising from a bitter feud with Marcos. This feud has been evident in various public spats and disagreements on policy matters. As the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague over alleged “crimes against humanity” related to his war on drugs, Sara Duterte’s political trajectory is closely watched.
The Supreme Court’s decision has significant implications for Philippine politics, particularly with the 2028 presidential elections on the horizon. With her newfound legal victory, Duterte’s popularity and influence are likely to increase, potentially positioning her as a formidable candidate for the presidency.
In the words of the Supreme Court, the complaint was deemed unconstitutional, but the court emphasized that this ruling does not absolve Duterte of the charges. The outcome of this case underscores the complex and often contentious nature of Philippine politics, where alliances are forged and broken, and political futures are frequently decided in the courts as much as in the electoral arena.