Key facts
- Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte declared herself "bloodied but unbowed" as her impeachment trial resumed.
- Prosecutors presented video evidence of Duterte making alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady, and a former House Speaker.
- One clip showed Duterte instructing an assassin to kill the officials if anything happened to her.
- Duterte denies wrongdoing and describes the impeachment as politically motivated.
- A conviction requires 16 out of 24 Senate votes.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte adopted a defiant stance as her impeachment trial resumed, stating she expected to be "bloodied but unbowed." The trial, held in the 24-member Senate, is considering charges including allegations that Duterte threatened the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady, and a former House Speaker.
During the proceedings, prosecutors presented video clips as evidence. One clip from November 2024 showed Duterte instructing an unidentified person to kill Marcos, the first lady, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez should anything happen to her, stating, "Do not stop until you kill them."
Duterte, who did not attend the trial but was represented by her legal team, denies the allegations and has characterized the impeachment as politically motivated. The prosecution argued that the threats, coming from the country's second-highest elected official, were particularly serious and not accidental.
The impeachment complaint also includes accusations of misusing public funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribery, and corruption. Duterte and Marcos, elected on a joint ticket in 2022, have since experienced a significant political rift.
A conviction requires the votes of at least 16 of the 24 senators. The defense contends that the impeachment effort aims to overturn the electoral mandate of Duterte, who was elected by over 32 million Filipinos.