The Philippine House of Representatives has filed for impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte (VP Sara) on February 5, 2025, setting off a political firestorm that has left the country on edge.
The impeachment comes just days before the official start of the country’s election season, raising questions about its timing and motivations. As the impeachment moves to the Senate for trial, Duterte, unshaken by the event, addresses the nation two days later in a press briefing that left more questions than answers.
VP Sara gestures as she speaks during a press conference in Manila on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe)
Duterte, who had been silent on the issue until this point, broke her silence at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) headquarters in Mandaluyong recently.
Walking into the venue with a broad smile and a confident demeanor, she appeared anything but rattled. While her media relations staff had firmly instructed reporters not to ask questions, Duterte herself seemed willing to engage, turning a scheduled short address into an impromptu press conference that lasted for nearly 20 minutes.
In her address, VP Sara expressed her calm acceptance of the impeachment, saying, “The only thing I can say at this point is — God save the Philippines.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, VP Sara seemed to maintain a level of composure that may have been aimed at reassuring her supporters. She added, “Manalig kayo dahil nasa taumbayan ang tagumpay” (Have faith because victory lies with the people), signaling that she believed her political future still rested in the hands of the Filipino public.
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VP Sara’s infamous midnight press conference
VP Sara’s words were a stark contrast to the fiery and often combative persona she had shown in previous public appearances.
This included an infamous midnight press conference in November 2023, during which she had lashed out at critics. Her demeanor at this most recent press event was markedly more subdued, perhaps reflecting a strategic pivot in light of the impeachment.
In her responses, she was careful not to reveal too much, particularly regarding the political strategy in place for the upcoming Senate trial.
However, VP Sara did mention that preparations had begun back in November 2023, shortly after ACT Teachers Representative France Castro had hinted at the possibility of impeachment.
VP Sara and Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
VP Sara also declined to comment on her former ally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s, statement distancing the government from the impeachment proceedings. This silence on the Marcos family’s role in her case further complicated the already ambiguous political landscape.
The impeachment process, which gained significant momentum in the House of Representatives, has divided lawmakers, particularly in Duterte’s home region of Mindanao. Nearly 70% of Mindanao’s district representatives supported the impeachment, a clear sign that the Duterte family’s influence in their political stronghold may be waning.
Among the signatories were key figures such as Davao del Sur Representative John Tracy Cagas. However, there were notable exceptions from Duterte’s home city, Davao, with three representatives choosing not to sign the impeachment resolution. Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte also had two representatives each who opposed the move.
The controversy surrounding Duterte’s impeachment is compounded by political maneuvering ahead of the midterm elections. The impeachment coincides with the start of the senatorial and party-list campaigns, which could turn the proceedings into a referendum on the Marcos administration’s political strength.
Marcos, who has attempted to remain neutral in the impeachment, expressed frustration when asked about the matter, stating, “Wala akong pakialam diyan” (I don’t care about that). His son, Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, was one of the first signatories of the complaint, defending his actions by citing personal threats against his family.
Timing of VP Sara’s impeachment questioned
The timing of the impeachment has sparked questions. Critics argue that, like former President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment ahead of the 2001 elections, it is a politically charged move meant to weaken Duterte’s influence as the country heads into a crucial election period.
However, unlike Estrada, who faced immediate public outrage over corruption allegations, Duterte has yet to face the same level of scrutiny, although her impeachment’s support among lawmakers suggests a shift in the political landscape.
Political analysts point out that the impeachment could be as much about sending a message to the Duterte family as it is about the actual charges against the Vice President. Despite these challenges, Duterte’s composed and almost nonchalant response could be part of a larger strategy to maintain her grip on power and confidence in the public’s support.
As the impeachment trial now moves to the Senate, it remains unclear how the political cards will fall. But one thing is certain: Vice President Sara Duterte, despite the political storm surrounding her, is determined to present herself as unshaken and ready to face whatever comes next.
Whether this strategy will hold up under the pressure of a Senate trial and public opinion remains to be seen, but the outcome could very well influence the future direction of Philippine politics.
Where it all began
VP Sara’s impeachment case stems from a series of allegations surrounding the misuse of 612.5 million pesos (US$10.3 million) in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to her offices as vice president and former education secretary.
The controversy intensified as Duterte, who has since left the education post due to deepening political rifts with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., refused to respond in detail during tense televised hearings last year.
Her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, was briefly detained for allegedly obstructing the investigation, sparking protests from Duterte, who accused Marcos, his wife, and Speaker Martin Romualdez of corruption and trying to silence her amid speculation about her 2028 presidential ambitions.
In addition to the misuse of funds, Duterte faced a subpoena from the National Bureau of Investigation over threats made against its officers, which led to heightened security around the Marcos family.
The impeachment follows a period of deteriorating relations between Duterte and Marcos, who were elected as running mates in 2022. Despite their landslide victory, their political alliance quickly soured, primarily over their differing stances on critical issues, including the Philippines’ approach to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and the controversial anti-drug crackdown led by Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
This violent campaign, which targeted thousands of mostly poor suspects, is currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court as a potential crime against humanity.
