Philippine lawmakers advance impeachment of Vice-President Duterte

If convicted, Ms Duterte would be removed from office and disqualified from holding any future government position. Read more at straitstimes.com.

MANILA - Philippine lawmakers ordered Vice-President Sara Duterte on March 4 to respond to impeachment complaints against her after finding substance to allegations involving unexplained wealth, the misuse of public funds and making public threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte is seen as a front runner for the 2028 presidential elections, and has said she will run for the top post. She survived a similar impeachment bid in 2025, which the Supreme Court struck down for violating constitutional safeguards.

If convicted by the Senate at trial, Ms Duterte would be removed from office and disqualified from holding any future government position.

Her defence team during the impeachment proceedings did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The March 4 vote in the House of Representatives' justice committee comes amid a bitter falling out between the two leaders, both scions of powerful political families, who swept to power in 2022 before becoming rivals.

Before any vote on whether an impeachment trial should go ahead, the House will consider Ms Duterte's response to the charges, if she makes one, as well as any reply from the complainants.