Philippine Vice President Seeks Supreme Court Intervention in Impeachment Proceedings
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has petitioned the Supreme Court to cancel her impeachment and prevent an impending Senate trial that could lead to her ouster from office.
The House of Representatives, largely composed of allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., voted to impeach Duterte on February 5. Charges against her include alleged plans to assassinate the president and involvement in major corruption activities. With Congress set to resume on June 2, the Senate is anticipated to convene as an impeachment court to proceed with her trial.
In her Supreme Court petition, Duterte, through her legal team, contends that the impeachment process was flawed in its procedural and constitutional aspects, rendering it invalid. Attorney Israelito Torreon, representing Duterte, stated that the complaint was expedited through the House, leaving insufficient time for some members to properly review the allegations.
“This is part of a plan probably to eliminate her as a probable contender” in the 2028 presidential elections, Torreon remarked, describing the situation as political persecution.
A Senate conviction would disqualify Duterte from holding any public office.
The impeachment is largely based on Duterte’s comments during a November 23 online news conference, where she allegedly threatened to have the president, his wife, and cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, assassinated in the event of her death amid their political conflict. Duterte has denied any intention of making such threats.
Additionally, accusations of misappropriating intelligence funds during her tenure as vice president and education secretary have surfaced. She stepped down from the education role last year following a fallout with President Marcos, yet has not publicly addressed the corruption allegations in detail.
Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was Marcos’ vice-presidential running mate in the 2022 elections. However, their political partnership has since deteriorated.
During recent campaign events for the May 12 midterm elections, President Marcos has criticized the previous administration’s brutal anti-drug operations and its passive stance towards China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, without explicitly naming the Dutertes.
In a related development, former President Rodrigo Duterte suggested during a campaign rally that 15 senators should be eliminated to create more opportunities for his allies in the midterms. Consequently, police have filed criminal complaints against him as of Monday.
