Sara Duterte impeachment trial delayed, Imee Marcos urges senators to drop theatrics

A composite photo of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte (right) and Senator Imee Marcos. ARCHIVE

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has been delayed after the Senate voted 18-5 to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives. The Senate’s move on Tuesday (June 10), while not a dismissal, was described by some lawmakers as a tactical delay with major political implications. Duterte, 47, is facing seven impeachment charges, including graft, sedition, and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She has denied all allegations. The vote came during the Senate’s first session as an impeachment court, originally scheduled to read the articles of impeachment the following day. That session has now been shelved indefinitely. Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, who voted against the motion, voiced concern that the process was being undermined. “We see that brick by brick, stone by stone, the impeachment trial process is being dismantled,” Hontiveros said. Supporters of Duterte, including Senator Imee Marcos, argued that the impeachment was politically motivated. “This forced impeachment—whether they admit it or not—is only meant to destroy the public image of VP Inday Sara to disqualify her from the 2028 elections. That’s all this is. Let’s not turn this into a theatrical performance,” Marcos said in Filipino. “If you support impeachment, you’re siding with the overly ambitious candidates of 2028.” Senate President Francis Escudero clarified that a summons had been issued for Duterte, indicating that the case was not dismissed outright and could proceed at a later date. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February, marking a dramatic turn in the political rift between her and President Marcos Jr., who once ran alongside her in the 2022 elections. Legal experts say that a conviction would bar Duterte from public office, while an acquittal could strengthen her political position ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028. A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required for a conviction under the Philippine Constitution. The delay comes amid heightened political tension, with Duterte-aligned Senate candidates performing strongly in the recent midterm elections. ICA/Expat Media