Manila, Philippines – Senate President Chiz Escudero addressed concerns about the impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte, stating that such a trial could not be conducted while the Senate is on break.
During a press conference on Thursday, February 6, Escudero explained, “Legally, it cannot be done,” when asked about the possibility of proceeding with the impeachment during the Senate’s adjournment. The Senate officially ended its session on Wednesday, February 5, and will reconvene on June 2, effectively delaying any impeachment proceedings until then.
On the same day, Vice President Sara Duterte became the first sitting Vice President in the country’s history to be impeached. The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of her impeachment, with 215 out of 306 members casting their votes for the move. The primary ground cited for her impeachment was “betrayal of public trust.”
The impeachment is based on six major allegations, all of which are claimed to be violations of the Constitution. Among the accusations is Duterte’s alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Last year, during a Facebook Live session, VP Sara allegedly claimed to have contacted a hitman to carry out the murders, but only if a previous plot against her succeeded.
Another key accusation involves the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds during her time as Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd). The complaint highlights questionable disbursements and fictitious beneficiaries linked to these funds.
The impeachment also points to charges of bribery and corruption within the DepEd, accusing VP Sara of approving bribes and attempting to manipulate procurement processes. She is further accused of unexplained wealth, with significant increases in her net worth and undeclared income from 2006 to 2015.
Additionally, VP Sara faces accusations of ordering extrajudicial killings through her alleged involvement in the Davao Death Squad (DDS) when she served as Mayor of Davao City. These accusations are based on the testimony of former police officer Arturo Lascanas. The final charge claims that Duterte attempted to destabilize the government by leading rallies calling for President Marcos’ resignation and obstructing ongoing investigations.
The Articles of Impeachment have now been transmitted to the Senate. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate will be required to convict and remove VP Sara Duterte from office.
