Security was tightened around the Senate in Manila as authorities deployed more than 6,000 police officers, including anti-riot units, to manage expected demonstrations by both supporters and opponents of Duterte. According to a pretrial schedule obtained by The Associated Press, Duterte or members of her legal team may attend the opening session of proceedings, which are expected to span 92 days.

If found guilty, Duterte could be permanently barred from holding public office, ending her widely declared ambition to run for president in the 2028 national elections when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s six-year term concludes. The vice president has denied the allegations against her.

Impeachment centers on wealth and alleged threats

The impeachment case stems from accusations approved by the House of Representatives last month, where lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to impeach Duterte over allegations that include unexplained wealth, misuse of confidential government funds and publicly threatening President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and a former House speaker.

The allegations include claims that Duterte publicly stated the president, his wife and a close political ally should be assassinated if she herself were killed amid intensifying political disputes. Duterte has broadly rejected the accusations but has declined to publicly address each allegation in detail before the trial.

A conviction requires the support of at least 16 senators, representing two-thirds of the 24-member Senate.

Alliance between Marcos and Duterte collapses

The impeachment proceedings unfold after the dramatic collapse of the political alliance that propelled Marcos and Duterte to victory in the 2022 elections.

Their partnership united two of the Philippines’ most influential political families but deteriorated amid growing political disagreements and competing ambitions. Relations have worsened considerably as both camps increasingly accuse each other of abusing state institutions for political advantage.

Duterte’s supporters have alleged that President Marcos and his allies orchestrated the impeachment process to eliminate one of the strongest potential challengers in the 2028 presidential race. Marcos has not publicly characterized the proceedings in those terms.

Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case adds pressure

The political tensions have been further intensified by the legal troubles facing Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

He was arrested last year under an order issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and transferred to The Hague, where he remains in detention. He is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 30 over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

The ICC case concerns the deadly anti-narcotics operations carried out during Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, which left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead. Human rights organizations and several Western governments criticized the campaign, while Rodrigo Duterte has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings despite repeatedly issuing public warnings that suspected criminals could be killed.

Sara Duterte has blamed President Marcos for allowing her father’s arrest and transfer to the ICC.

Foreign policy differences deepen political divide

Beyond domestic politics, the dispute between the Marcos and Duterte camps reflects sharply different foreign policy approaches.

President Marcos has strengthened defense cooperation with the United States, the Philippines’ longstanding treaty ally, while expanding military coordination amid increasingly tense confrontations with China in the disputed South China Sea.

During his presidency, Rodrigo Duterte pursued closer ties with China and Russia while frequently criticizing Washington and threatening to reduce security cooperation with the United States.

Sara Duterte has also faced criticism from political opponents for not publicly condemning repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels, including incidents involving powerful water cannons directed at Philippine coast guard ships, military vessels and fishermen operating in contested waters.

Senate composition faces additional scrutiny

The impeachment trial also begins as several senators aligned with the Duterte political camp face separate legal challenges.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested and detained last month after being charged with plunder in connection with an alleged flood-control project bribery scheme. He has denied the allegations.

Another senator considered supportive of Duterte, Rodante Marcoleta, could also face arrest over a separate plunder case involving alleged undeclared campaign donations. Marcoleta has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who served as national police chief during Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, has gone into hiding after the ICC reportedly issued a warrant for his arrest as a co-perpetrator in the killings under investigation.

The impeachment proceedings are expected to remain one of the Philippines’ most consequential political events in the months ahead, with the Senate’s eventual verdict likely to influence not only Duterte’s political future but also the country’s leadership contest leading into the 2028 presidential election.

Article Topics: Philippines | Sara Duterte | Impeachment Trial | Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | Philippine Senate | Rodrigo Duterte | International Criminal Court | South China Sea

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Senators took their oaths as judges in Manila as the upper chamber prepared to hear impeachment charges tied to alleged misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his allies. The proceedings come amid growing institutional tensions and public demonstrations by both Duterte supporters and critics.

The impeachment trial carries major political implications ahead of the Philippines’ 2028 presidential election, where Duterte is widely viewed as a potential contender. Under Philippine law, a conviction would remove her from office and bar her from holding future public positions.

Political Rivalry Intensifies

The case marks a dramatic deterioration in relations between the Marcos and Duterte political camps, once allies during the 2022 national elections. Analysts say the impeachment battle now reflects a broader power struggle between two of the Philippines’ most influential political dynasties.

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to impeach Duterte after lawmakers endorsed accusations involving confidential state funds and alleged threats against senior officials. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and described the impeachment effort as politically motivated.

Tensions surrounding the proceedings intensified further following a chaotic confrontation inside the Senate last week linked to Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a close Duterte ally wanted by the International Criminal Court over allegations tied to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Authorities said gunfire erupted during an attempted arrest operation inside the Senate compound, although no injuries were reported. The incident heightened concerns over political instability and institutional divisions in the country.

International Scrutiny Grows

The impeachment proceedings are unfolding alongside mounting international attention on the Philippines’ human rights record and democratic institutions. Rodrigo Duterte remains under scrutiny by the International Criminal Court over allegations connected to thousands of deaths during his administration’s anti-drug crackdown.

Sara Duterte has accused the Marcos administration of enabling political persecution against her family, including actions linked to international legal cases involving her father. President Marcos has publicly denied interfering in the impeachment process, insisting that Congress must independently carry out its constitutional role.

Under Philippine constitutional rules, at least two-thirds of the 24-member Senate must vote to convict the vice president. Political observers noted that shifting alliances within the chamber could significantly influence the outcome of the trial.

Institutional Stability Under Pressure

The proceedings have become one of the most consequential constitutional confrontations in the Philippines in recent years, testing the balance of power between the executive branch, Congress, and the judiciary.

The Senate impeachment court was convened under the leadership of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, whose recent rise to the chamber’s top position was supported by Duterte allies. Analysts say the evolving political alignments could complicate efforts to secure a conviction.

Public protests have continued in Manila as rival political factions mobilize supporters, while security around government institutions has been strengthened amid fears of further unrest.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday pledged that many of the 37 powerful senators, members of Congress, and wealthy businesspeople implicated in a major corruption scandal involving flood control projects would be behind bars by Christmas. His remarks come amid growing public anger and planned street protests over mismanagement and alleged graft.

Marcos stated that an independent fact-finding commission has filed criminal complaints for graft, corruption, and plunder—a non-bailable offense—against the 37 suspects. Additional complaints were filed against 86 construction company executives and nine government officials for allegedly evading taxes totaling nearly 9 billion pesos ($152 million).

Corruption Amid Natural Disasters

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to typhoons, flooding, and other extreme weather events, making the integrity of flood control projects particularly critical. Recent disasters have underscored this vulnerability: Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 232 people dead, with 125 missing, primarily due to flash floods in the central region. Days later, Super Typhoon Fung-wong struck the north, causing at least 27 deaths and affecting millions through landslides and flooding.

“I know that before Christmas, the cases of many of those who were named would be concluded and they would end up in jail,” Marcos said, adding that further anomalies are expected to surface. He emphasized, “We don’t file cases for optics. We file cases to put people in jail.”

Asset Freezes and Seizures

The government’s Anti-Money Laundering Council has issued seven orders to freeze assets belonging to corruption suspects, including 1,671 bank accounts, 144 real estate properties, 244 vehicles, and other assets worth 6.3 billion pesos ($107 million). At least 13 luxury cars and SUVs of suspects, including European and British models, were seized by the Bureau of Customs, and initial auctions of seven vehicles have been scheduled.

Denmark’s ambassador to the Philippines, Franz-Michael Mellbin, said at a business forum in Manila that the crackdown sends a “healthy signal” that public officials will face consequences for theft of public funds.

New Jail for Corruption Suspects

To manage the expected influx of detainees, officials have unveiled a new jail in suburban Quezon City capable of holding up to 800 corruption suspects. Authorities pledged that no VIP treatment would be afforded to powerful individuals facing trial.

Scope of the Investigation

Investigators are reviewing 9,855 flood control projects worth over 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) initiated since Marcos assumed office in mid-2022. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told legislators in September that up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) may have been lost to corruption since 2023 alone.

The probe implicates lawmakers both allied with and opposed to Marcos, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, who denies wrongdoing. Allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a frequent critic of Marcos, are also under scrutiny.

“Nobody’s immune. Nobody would be exempted in these investigations,” Marcos asserted, signaling the administration’s commitment to holding all implicated individuals accountable.

Source: AP News – Powerful politicians will be in jail by Christmas for corruption scandal, Philippine president says

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