Impeaching Sara Duterte: are the walls closing in on the Philippine vice-president?

Facing allegations of corruption and betrayal of public trust, the Philippine vice-president is striking back at her accusers

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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte during a press conference at her office in Metro Manila on October 18. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:00am, 30 Oct 2024Updated: 10:05am, 30 Oct 2024

Lawmakers in the Philippines are contemplating impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio over corruption allegations, in a move analysts say could deepen the rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and shift political allegiances just as the nation gears up for midterm elections.

Two possible grounds for impeachment have been identified: corruption and betrayal of public trust. The allegations stem from accusations of misappropriating funds from both the Office of the Vice-President and the Department of Education during her tenure as education secretary.

“In these two instances, unless of course they can prove that the use of the funds is justified, but as we see it, they really have liability,” Joel Chua, a lawmaker leading the House committee investigation into Duterte-Carpio, said in a statement on Monday.

Asked about the likelihood of support from fellow lawmakers for the impeachment case, Chua expressed uncertainty. He did, however, suggest that if Duterte-Carpio were removed from office, she could face criminal corruption charges.

“So after the impeachment, once proven or impeached, that’s the time for cases to be filed against the vice-president,” he said.

A protester calls for the impeachment of Vice-President Sara Duterte during a rally outside the Philippine Congress in Quezon City in September. Photo: EPA-EFE

The daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte has faced scrutiny since last year when a Commission on Audit report revealed her office had spent some 125 million pesos (US$2.18 million) in “confidential funds” over just 11 days in 2022.