Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, speaking at a December 2024 press conference, defended her controversial remarks and denied they constituted death threats against President Marcos. Image Source: Bloomberg

Sara Duterte, the 15th Vice President of the Philippines and daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is at the center of a historic political and legal confrontation. In February 2025, she became the first vice president in Philippine history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The Senate is scheduled to convene as an impeachment court on June 3, 2025, to begin formal proceedings. Meanwhile, her father is under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration's anti-drug campaign.

The February vote followed three separate impeachment complaints filed over the previous months. The first two were introduced by coalitions of civil society activists and accused Duterte of corruption, abuse of authority, and politically motivated red-tagging. The third, submitted on December 19, 2024, by seven Catholic priests based in Manila, accused Duterte of improperly disbursing millions of dollars during her time as vice president and Education Secretary—a role she stepped down from in June 2024. The complaint also charged her with involvement in a plot to assassinate President Marcos. While none of these earlier complaints advanced on their own, they collectively helped lay the political and legal groundwork for the historic impeachment that followed. The participation of the Catholic clergy was especially notable, with the priests stating in their filing that Duterte’s alleged abuses had become a moral issue of accountability.

Following several earlier failed complaints, the impeachment that advanced in February 2025 arises from a series of grave allegations. Chief among them is her November 2024 Facebook livestream, where she publicly stated: “I have talked to a person… I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM [President Marcos], [First Lady] Liza Araneta, and [House Speaker] Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke.” This prompted the National Bureau of Investigation to recommend charges under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code (grave threats) and possibly Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for abuse of authority.

Go kill BBM [President Marcos], [First Lady] Liza Araneta, and [House Speaker] Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke.

A second core allegation involves the rapid and opaque disbursement of ₱612.5 million (approximately $10.5 million) in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to her two offices in 2022. According to reports and whistleblower claims, these funds were disbursed in just 11 days, allegedly to individuals using pseudonyms resembling snack brands. The Commission on Audit flagged documentation gaps and potential misuse, raising possible violations of the Government Auditing Code (Presidential Decree No. 1445) and ethical breaches under Republic Act No. 6713.

Duterte is further accused of betraying public trust by failing to defend Philippine sovereignty amid Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. In one widely cited interview from late 2024, she referred to the government’s maritime patrols and public standoffs with China as a ‘fiasco,’ a comment critics interpreted as dismissive of efforts to uphold Philippine territorial claims. Duterte's perceived silence during key flashpoints—such as the August 2024 water cannon incident involving Chinese vessels—has fueled accusations that she undermined national efforts to assert maritime rights. Her detractors argue this conduct may run counter to Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution, which mandates the defense of sovereignty and national territory.

A History of Controversy

Beyond the current charges, Duterte’s record in public service has long been marked by controversy. In 2011, while serving as Davao City mayor, she was caught on camera punching a court sheriff in the face multiple times during a demolition operation. The act was condemned by judiciary associations as criminal assault and a breach of ethical norms. Though she later apologized, the footage cemented her reputation for volatility.

She has also faced recurring allegations linked to the Davao Death Squad, a group accused of executing suspected criminals during her and her father's mayoral terms. Former police officer Arturo Lascañas testified that Duterte, once in office, did nothing to prevent extrajudicial killings. These allegations—though unproven in court—were included in submissions to the ICC. Like her father, she has been named in ICC submissions and acknowledged being on a list of individuals under scrutiny by the Court. While she has not been formally charged, she remains under preliminary investigation as part of the ICC’s probe into crimes against humanity during the country’s war on drugs.

Nationally, Duterte drew criticism for red-tagging teachers and labor organizers. As Education Secretary, she accused the Alliance of Concerned Teachers of aiding communist insurgents—claims denied by the group and flagged by rights monitors as baseless and dangerous. Similar accusations were made against transport strike leaders, drawing rebuke from senators and others concerned about the chilling effect on civic protest. Such behavior may violate Philippine anti-terror laws as well as constitutional protections for freedom of speech and association.

Her finances have also come under scrutiny. It has been noted that her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth show increases inconsistent with her official salary. Public records cite luxury vehicle purchases and high-value properties, which could indicate illicit enrichment if proven. Even if such assets were lawfully acquired, failing to declare substantial additional income may violate tax laws and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713), which mandates full, accurate disclosure of assets. Under Republic Act No. 1379, acquisitions determined to be unlawfully or unjustifiably unexplained may also be subject to forfeiture.

Power Struggles and Political Strategy

The impeachment proceedings have exacerbated the power struggle between the Duterte and Marcos camps. Her brother, Representative Paolo Duterte, labeled the process “political persecution,” while others in her camp claim the impeachment is aimed at derailing her expected 2028 presidential run. Duterte herself has welcomed the trial, declaring, “I want a bloodbath,” a comment Press Officer Claire Castro later described as “somewhat violent.” Some argue her support for a delayed trial may be calculated: by allowing newly elected senators—many of them her allies—to assume office before substantive proceedings begin in late July, she may bolster her chances of acquittal.

The May 12, 2025 midterm elections were therefore pivotal, as several Duterte-aligned candidates secured Senate seats, reshaping the composition of the impeachment court. Legal expert Romulo Macalintal commented that the timing of the impeachment “raises constitutional questions” and may compromise procedural fairness. Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. has publicly stated that the Senate should act independently, while also expressing a willingness to reconcile with the Duterte faction in the interest of national stability—a gesture that may also serve to reinforce his own political standing and manage internal divisions within the ruling coalition.

The May 12, 2025 midterm elections were therefore pivotal, as several Duterte-aligned candidates secured Senate seats, reshaping the composition of the impeachment court.

As the Senate prepares for what may be the most consequential impeachment trial in decades, the outcome holds implications far beyond the vice presidency. The Philippines now finds itself deeply divided between two powerful political dynasties—each entrenched in controversy—where calls for justice are often overshadowed by loyalty to faction. Among many Filipinos, support for Duterte’s impeachment is increasingly viewed as synonymous with support for the Marcos administration, particularly following the midterm victories of Marcos-aligned candidates and the House’s role in advancing the charges. This has led to public discourse in which political accountability is filtered through partisan allegiance. In this climate, the very notion of impartial justice faces a test: can the country uphold the rule of law without reinforcing perceptions of political retribution? The trial will not only determine the fate of the Vice President—it will also reflect whether high-ranking officials can be held to account within a polarized political system and whether constitutional governance can prevail amid dynastic power struggles.

REFERENCES

Al Jazeera. (2025, February 12). Philippines agency recommends charging VP Sara Duterte over alleged plot. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/12/philippines-agency-recommends-charging-vp-sara-duterte-over-alleged-plot

Head, J. (2024, November 28). Death threats and division: A political feud takes a dramatic turn. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzn4j0g20o

Javier, P. (2024, December 19). Priests, NGO members file 3rd impeachment complaint vs VP Sara Duterte. ABS-CBN News. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/19/3rd-impeachment-complaint-sara-duterte-1245

LawPhil. (1955). Republic Act No. 1379 – An Act Declaring Forfeiture in Favor of the State Any Property Found to Have Been Unlawfully Acquired by Any Public Officer or Employee. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1955/ra_1379_1955.html

LawPhil. (1989). Republic Act No. 6713 – Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1989/ra_6713_1989.html

Ratcliffe, R. (2024, October 18). Philippines vice-president: I'll dig up president’s father and throw him in sea. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/philippines-vice-president-sarah-duterte-ferdinand-marcos-threat-remains-father

Robles, A. (2024, December 26). Philippine VP Duterte’s US$10 million snack-name scandal recipe for impeachment. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292255/philippine-vp-dutertes-us10-million-snack-name-scandal-recipe-impeachment

Serapio, M. (2025, May 18). Sara Duterte wants impeachment trial to go on, sees 'bloodbath'. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-18/sara-duterte-wants-impeachment-trial-to-go-on-sees-bloodbath