Sara Duterte impeachment - Rappler
Vice President Sara Duterte has become the first Philippine official to be impeached twice.
Duterte, who previously served as secretary of the Department of Education, is facing complaints involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds and questionable transactions during her tenure.
A total of 257 lawmakers voted to impeach Duterte for the second time on May 11. This number exceeds the 215 House members who signed her impeachment complaint in 2025. Twenty-five House members voted against the impeachment, while nine abstained.
This move came after the House justice committee found probable cause to impeach the Vice President. The action stemmed from two complaints endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega, and Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante.
Lawmakers cited evidence presented during hearings that allegedly pointed to irregular financial transactions. Some allegations also included claims involving unexplained wealth linked to both the Vice President and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court for his alleged crimes against humanity committed during his violent war on drugs.
The latest development effectively revives an impeachment process that had stalled. This earlier effort was transmitted to the Senate following approval by more than two-thirds of House members in February 2025.
That earlier case did not move forward after the Supreme Court stopped the proceedings on July 25, 2025. The Court ruled that the complaint was barred under the Constitution’s one-year rule, which prohibits initiating impeachment proceedings against the same official more than once within a one-year period.
The renewed proceedings underscore continuing political tensions between the Duterte and Marcos camps, while also raising broader questions on accountability, governance, and political loyalty in the Philippines.
Bookmark this page for continuing coverage of the Sara Duterte impeachment, including updates, analyses, and explainers on developments that could shape both her political future and the broader political landscape, especially ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
For comment or corrections, contact feedback@rappler.com
The senator-judges are members of the Philippine Senate who sit as an impeachment court that will hear the case against Vice President Sara Duterte. Their main role is to weigh the evidence, listen to arguments from both sides, and decide if Duterte is guilty of any impeachable offense. They will vote on motions, issue subpoenas, and ask questions during the trial.
Each senator will cast a vote for or against conviction at the end of the impeachment trial. A guilty verdict needs a two-thirds majority, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to begin impeachment cases, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution. A number of House members will serve as prosecutors once the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, begins the trial. The prosecutors are usually members of the justice committee or selected by the House leadership.
The prosecution panel is tasked with presenting evidence that Vice President Sara Duterte committed impeachable offenses. Prosecutors are expected to walk the Senate through their case using witness testimony, documents, and other materials to support their arguments anchored in the articles of impeachment submitted by the House.
An official facing an impeachment trial can assemble a team of lawyers to mount a defense before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. The defense team represents the impeached official throughout the proceedings, which can include presenting arguments and challenging the prosecution.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team is composed mostly of lawyers from the Fortun Narvasa and Salazar law firm, and is led by litigator Sheila Sison.
Switch to the Rappler app for a smoother, faster reading experience.
Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access.
