Philippines opens impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte amid political turmoil

The Philippine Senate, acting as an impeachment court, formally opened the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday (local time), amid a volatile and deeply divided political climate.

The trial comes just days after chaos and a shooting at the Senate, along with a drastic change in the chamber’s leadership. These events stemmed from the reappearance of a Duterte-allied senator who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) after a long period in hiding.

The impeachment risks barring Sara Duterte from public office, effectively ending her ambition to run for president in 2028.

“The trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte is now in session,” declared new Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano, a loyalist to the Duterte family, was elected to lead the Senate in a vote on May 11.

That vote was decided by the ballot of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who faces ICC charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the bloody “war on drugs” waged by the defendant’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, from 2016 to 2022.

Dela Rosa had been in hiding since an ICC arrest warrant was reportedly issued in November last year. He emerged just in time to cast the decisive vote that gave Cayetano the position to preside over the trial. However, he also faced police attempting to execute the ICC warrant. He then fled into the Senate building and later escaped after a raid by soldiers, with multiple gunshots heard.

The opening of Sara Duterte’s (47) trial gives her 10 days to respond to charges of misusing public funds, unexplained wealth, and threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and a former House Speaker.

Duterte, who has declared she will run for president in 2028, denies all wrongdoing and calls the impeachment politically motivated. Her defense team said it would respect the court but declined to comment on the trial. The court has not set a date for the start of hearings.

The impeachment unfolds as her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is being held by the ICC in The Hague. The former president is soon to face a confirmation of charges hearing for crimes against humanity related to the “war on drugs” that killed tens of thousands.

President Marcos and Sara Duterte were members of two powerful political families who allied for the 2022 elections. However, that relationship later deteriorated severely, leading Congress to scrutinize the vice president’s finances. Marcos subsequently turned her father over to the ICC.

President Marcos has sought to distance himself from the impeachment, calling it a matter for the legislative branch.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the heavily guarded Senate building on Monday, some expressing support for Duterte, while others called for her conviction.

“The chaotic events of last week clearly demonstrated that the Senate, under the leadership of Duterte allies, will be turned into a tool to protect the interests of the Duterte family,” protest leader Mong Palatino told Al Jazeera.

Others said Senator dela Rosa’s escape further eroded trust in politicians and called on authorities to arrest him and those who helped him evade accountability.

“To our dear senators, instead of seeking justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings, you helped dela Rosa evade arrest, and you ousted the former Senate President to protect Sara Duterte,” said Manette Castillo, mother of a victim of the drug war.