Senate sends Duterte's Impeachment Back to House
By Patrick Rubio
With 18 affirmative votes, and 5 negative votes with no abstentions, the Philippine Senate approved returning to the House of Representatives the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on June 10, 2025.
The complaint was initially filed during a plenary session in the House of Representatives on February 5, with 215 of the 306 members supporting it.
The impeachment complaint includes allegations of corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, primarily related to the release and use of ₱125 million in confidential funds in 2022 during her appointment as Department of Education secretary.
Senate President Francis Escudero clarified that the move does not dismiss the case but seeks clarification on jurisdiction. With Congress adjourned, the impeachment trial will likely proceed under the 20th Congress starting July 29.
Escudero notified the House that the June 11 presentation of the Articles of Impeachment is canceled. As presiding officer of the impeachment court, he also issued a writ of summons for Duterte to respond within 10 days.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s office stated she will be out of the country on a “personal trip” with her family in Malaysia.
If convicted, Duterte may face removal from office and potential disqualification from any future governmental positions. A conviction requires two-thirds vote from the 24-member Senate, or at least 16 senators. | via Patrick Rubio
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Photo courtesy: Arab News, Reuters
