House Impeaches VP Sara, Senate holds the last day

The House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, with 215 out of 306 members filing a complaint against her during a plenary session on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. This surpassed the required 102 votes needed to transmit the case to the Senate for trial.

 

The impeachment complaint is partly rooted in controversial remarks made by Duterte during a Zoom briefing on November 23, 2024, where she allegedly threatened President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with assassination if she were to be killed.

 

Additionally, as the former Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), she is under scrutiny for the unexplained use of P112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023.

 

According to the verified complaint approved by the House plenary, the grounds for this impeachment are cited as culpable violation of the constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

READ: https://tinyurl.com/4fmnknz5

 

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬

VP’s brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, who was among those who did not sign the petition, denounced the impeachment as politically motivated and condemned the move, calling it “a clear act of political persecution.”

 

With the articles of impeachment now in the Senate, its 23 members will act as jurors in the trial. To convict Duterte, at least 16 senators (two-thirds majority) must vote in favor, while eight votes would result in acquittal.

 

Although the Senate received the articles of impeachment on February 5, the matter was not included in the plenary session that day.

 

However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified in a press briefing on Thursday, February 6, that the case was not part of their immediate agenda. He emphasized that the Senate must first conduct a thorough review of the impeachment procedures before proceeding.

 

Escudero also noted that the Senate could only address the complaint after Congress reconvenes on June 2, following the midterm elections. But, he clarified that the impeachment complaint would not be put on hold indefinitely.

 

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Akbayan’s first nominee in the upcoming elections, urged the Senate to act with integrity.

 

“The Senate must not falter. This is a moment of truth… The country deserves a Senate that will not cower in the face of power,” Diokno stated.

 

Duterte is the first vice president in Philippine history to be impeached by the House of Representatives.

 

Additionally, if convicted by the Senate, Duterte could face removal from office and a lifetime ban from holding public office, effectively ending any aspirations she may have for future political positions, including the presidency.

 

The nation now waits as the Senate prepares to take the final step in the historic political showdown.

 

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒:

Impeachment complaint backed by 215 lawmakers vs VP Sara Duterte https://tinyurl.com/3tpcv542

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment: how will her trial be held? https://tinyurl.com/57ze5wct

Photo courtesy Philstar.com