The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte began on July 6, 2026, amid heightened political tensions in the country. She faces allegations of mishandling government funds and issuing threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Shortly before the trial started, Duterte's ally, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, was arrested on a plunder charge. The arrest, ordered by the Sandiganbayan anticorruption court following accusations from the Office of the Ombudsman that Marcoleta accepted 75 million pesos (approximately $1.2 million) from private donors during his 2025 Senate campaign in violation of anticorruption laws, has cast doubt on Duterte's support within the Senate.

Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte—who is currently on trial at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity—ran as vice president alongside Ferdinand Marcos Jr in 2022. Marcos is the son of the former Philippine dictator ousted in 1986 during the People Power Revolution.

In February 2026, Sara Duterte announced her intention to run for president in 2028. However, a conviction in the impeachment trial could bar her from participating in the next election.

Alejandro Reyes, an adjunct professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Hong Kong, emphasized the importance of Senate votes, noting, “Conviction requires 16 of 24 senators, so even a Marcos-leaning Senate leadership does not guarantee a guilty verdict.”

Additional investigations are ongoing, including probes into security guards following a recent shooting at the Philippine Senate. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court prosecutor has been suspended pending a vote on sexual misconduct claims.

Sources