Philippine prosecutors on Wednesday insisted the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will move forward, expressing confusion over why the Senate briefly convened as an impeachment court only to send the case back to the House of Representatives for certification.
Duterte, widely seen as a leading candidate for the 2028 presidential race, has been at the center of a political firestorm following a deepening rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which has turned a personal feud into a national power struggle.
The House overwhelmingly approved Duterte’s impeachment in February, citing betrayal of public trust and high crimes. Duterte has denied the allegations, calling the case a politically motivated attack.
The Senate’s move to return the case to the House for legal certification sparked criticism from legal experts, civic groups, and the Catholic Church, who accused lawmakers of undermining the Constitution and shirking their duty to hold public officials accountable.
Congresswoman Gerville Luistro, a member of the House prosecution panel, argued that the Senate already had jurisdiction once it summoned Duterte to respond to the charges. “No one can stop this anymore,” Luistro said at a press briefing. “We are confident the complaint meets all constitutional requirements.”
Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces accusations of budget misuse, accumulating unexplained wealth, and making threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. A conviction could lead to a lifetime ban from public office.
Senator Imee Marcos, the president’s sister and an ally of Duterte, defended the Senate’s procedural move, suggesting the impeachment was part of a political scheme to block Duterte from the 2028 race.
President Marcos has remained publicly disengaged, with his office saying on Wednesday that he was not monitoring the proceedings. Duterte’s camp did not respond to requests for comment.
Outside the Senate, demonstrators braved the rain to protest, accusing senators of cowardice and betrayal. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines echoed the outcry, urging lawmakers to allow the constitutional process to unfold. “If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear,” said its president.
Reuters/s.s