The move was announced by the Akbayan Party List, a progressive political group, which revealed that its congresspeople will support the movement. The action comes amid a climate of growing political tension and distrust towards the vice president, especially after recent statements that sparked significant controversy in the Filipino political landscape.
The impeachment petition follows remarks by Sara Duterte in which she claimed to have hired a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez, in the event of her own assassination. Duterte’s words quickly spread across social media and the press, creating a climate of alarm throughout the country. Although the vice president attempted to justify her comments, claiming they were “taken out of context,” the gravity of her statement sparked outrage not only among the opposition but also among more moderate sectors of Filipino politics. As an immediate response, authorities strengthened the security of Marcos Jr. and his family, given the threatening tone of Duterte’s words.
The impeachment action will be formalized by a coalition of civil society organizations, including religious leaders, representatives from various sectors of society, and families of victims of the violent “war on drugs” promoted by the government of Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president’s father. This policy, which led to thousands of civilian deaths and severe human rights violations, remains one of the most divisive issues in the country. The groups that have now come together to demand Sara Duterte’s impeachment are strongly motivated by the need for accountability for the abuses committed during her father’s administration and view the action against the vice president as a way to challenge the governance practices of her family.
The Akbayan Party List, in an official statement, declared that this is a “historic impeachment petition,” pointing out that the vice president not only demonstrated inappropriate behavior by making threatening statements, but is also under investigation for financial irregularities. This inquiry looks into the origins and destinations of her expenses, raising serious concerns about the transparency and fiscal responsibility of her administration. While the full details of the allegations have not been publicly disclosed, the organizations promoting the impeachment suggest that there are several factors making the petition more than justified.
The central claim of many of these groups is that Sara Duterte is undermining the integrity of Filipino institutions and eroding public trust in the authorities. The impeachment is also seen as a way to contest Duterte’s behavior, as even though she holds the vice presidency, she appears to be distancing herself from the official stance of the Marcos Jr. government, with which her family maintains a political alliance. However, signs of friction between the two sides have begun to surface, and the vice president has increasingly been associated with her own political agenda, which weakens cohesion within the administration.
The vice president, for her part, has vigorously defended herself against the accusations, dismissing any suggestion of corruption or misconduct. Regarding her statements about hiring a hitman, Duterte insisted that her words were misinterpreted and that there was no intention to incite violence. Her explanation was widely seen as an attempt to downplay the situation, but it failed to prevent the growing clamor for her removal from office. Many voices in politics and civil society point out that, regardless of how Duterte’s remarks were interpreted, the fact that she is being investigated for potential corruption crimes is an issue that cannot be ignored.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while not commenting directly on the impeachment petition, made a public statement downplaying the movement’s impact, claiming that an impeachment process would only serve to distract Congress and would not bring real benefits to the Filipino people. This stance was widely criticized, both by the opposition and more progressive sectors of society, who argue that the president’s inaction may be seen as a way to cover up the erratic behavior of his vice president. Many believe that by not supporting the investigation into the vice president, Marcos Jr. risks allowing corruption and authoritarian practices to continue flourishing.
The impeachment of Sara Duterte also draws attention to the unique political system in the Philippines, where the vice president is elected separately from the president. This means that, unlike in other countries, the relationship between the two executive leaders in the Philippines can be more prone to tensions and divisions, as is the case now. The independence of the vice presidency makes it possible for political rivalry between the president and vice president to occur, exacerbated by Duterte’s controversial statements and the ongoing investigation into her administration.
Furthermore, the impeachment petition is not just a political issue but also a reflection of the deep social divisions that characterize the current Filipino landscape. The memory of the victims of the war on drugs remains vivid, and many families are seeking justice for the deaths of their loved ones. For them, the impeachment of Sara Duterte is a way to bring visibility to their fight for justice and for more humane and responsible policies. This movement also reflects the growing public dissatisfaction with the conduct of politics in the country, which many perceive as authoritarian and focused on elites, rather than addressing the needs of the people.
As the impeachment petition moves forward in Congress, it is likely to become a turning point in Filipino politics, testing the country’s institutions’ ability to handle issues of ethics and accountability in government. The future of Sara Duterte, as well as the stability of the Marcos Jr. government, may depend on how this process is carried out and the public’s reaction to the accusations and developments that are yet to come.
The push for Sara Duterte’s impeachment marks a crucial moment in Filipino politics, highlighting not only the internal tensions between the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration and his vice president, but also the growing dissatisfaction among civil society with governance practices. The impeachment petition, fueled by accusations of corruption, financial irregularities, and inflammatory statements that threaten political stability, is more than a simple confrontation between executive figures. It represents a broader struggle for justice, transparency, and accountability in government, and symbolizes the resistance of social sectors seeking to challenge authoritarian legacies and the violence of Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.”
With Sara Duterte’s political future now at stake, the impeachment process could become a watershed moment for the Marcos Jr. regime, testing the strength of the country’s democratic institutions and the ability of the population to impose limits on politically influential figures. Regardless of the outcome, the impeachment petition makes it clear that political and social tensions in the Philippines are far from resolved, and issues of governance, human rights, and justice will continue to shape the public debate in the next stages of the Marcos administration.
