The Philippine Senate will convene an impeachment court to decide the fate of Sara Duterte on June 3, 2025. The House of Representatives impeached her in February, accusing her of “high crimes,” which included corruption and an alleged plot to assassinate an opponent. A historic political drama is playing out as a proxy war develops between Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos. Their agreement fell apart soon after the 2022 elections, laying the groundwork for this showdown.
Now, incoming vice president and trial companion to President Marcos, Sara Duterte, too, is on trial with major long-term implications. The impeachment circus has become the defining convergence of the mid-term elections. Just last week, voters chose the other half of the Senate’s 24 jurors who’ll now decide her case. Senator Chiz Escudero, chair of the Senate committee on finance, declared the Senate prepared to meet the charges. These members intend to read the details out loud in an open session before gaveling in the proceedings officially.
“As stated in our letter dated February 24, 2025, the Senate shall expect the prosecution to read the seven charges under the Articles of Impeachment in open session,” – Senator Escudero.
The Senate’s role is crucial, as it will ultimately decide Sara Duterte’s acquittal or conviction. She’ll need at least nine votes from the full Senate for acquittal. The trial will likely receive a tremendous amount of public attention. That’s especially true given the rancorous political atmosphere and the shadow cast by her father, Rodrigo Duterte’s, controversial recent term there. He was impeached and subsequently arrested, facing charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague related to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
The friendship between Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., has grown tense. And indeed, President Marcos’ policies have made clear his openness to making amends with the Duterte clan. On one point, Mr. Pence is unambiguous — he’s not playing in the impeachment game. “Let’s leave that to the Senate, which has its own processes for it,” he stated.
Senator Escudero underscored the Senate’s resolve to conduct the trial as soon as possible. He declared that pertinent declarations would be signed on the very first day of the special session, June 3rd. The next trial has big stakes for Sara Duterte’s political future. Beyond this it fleshes out the larger themes of tension and struggle in Philippine politics.
“Thereafter, the Senate shall be convened as an impeachment court at 9 o’clock in the morning of June 3, 2025 for the purpose of issuing the summons and such other relevant orders,” – Senator Escudero.
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