Key facts
- Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte expects to be 'bloodied but unbowed' during her impeachment trial.
- The impeachment charges include allegations of threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
- Duterte's trial commenced Monday in the Senate, acting as an impeachment court.
- A video showing Duterte making a threat was presented as evidence.
- Duterte has denied all allegations, including corruption and inciting sedition.
- A conviction requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte stated on Tuesday that she anticipates being 'bloodied but unbowed' by her ongoing impeachment trial. The trial, which began Monday in the 24-member Senate acting as an impeachment court, addresses charges including a threat made by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his allies.
During the proceedings, a video was presented as evidence showing Duterte uttering a threat in November 2024 to have Marcos, his wife, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez killed by an unidentified person if she herself were killed. Duterte, who has dismissed the charges as political persecution, has previously denied allegations of amassing unexplained wealth, misusing confidential funds, corruption, bribery, and inciting sedition.
Duterte and Marcos were elected on a joint ticket in 2022, but their political alliance has since deteriorated. Duterte's supporters accuse Marcos and his allies of orchestrating her impeachment to block her presidential ambitions. The impeachment by the House of Representatives, dominated by Marcos' allies, occurred in May.
Meanwhile, three senators who support Duterte have recently faced legal challenges, including arrests for alleged corruption and one going into hiding following an International Criminal Court warrant related to former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign. Justice officials maintain these legal troubles are unrelated to the Vice President's impeachment.
Conviction in the impeachment trial requires a two-thirds majority, or 16 votes, from the Senate. A conviction would severely impact Duterte's stated goal of succeeding Marcos as president in 2028. Even if acquitted, she may still face criminal charges related to the impeachment allegations.