The proceedings opened amid heightened security in Manila, with more than 6,000 police officers, including anti-riot units, deployed around the Senate complex. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside, calling for Duterte’s conviction.

Duterte did not attend the opening session in person and was represented by her legal team. According to a pretrial schedule reviewed by The Associated Press, the trial is expected to run for 92 days.

If convicted, Duterte could be permanently barred from holding public office, ending her stated intention to run for president when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s six-year term concludes in 2028. She has denied the allegations against her.

Prosecution and Defense Outline Their Cases

House of Representatives prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro told the impeachment court that prosecutors were prepared to present sufficient evidence and witness testimony to support the charges.

“This is the moment when the republic must demonstrate that laws are applied equally to the powerful and the powerless alike,” Luistro said.

Duterte’s lead defense lawyer, Sheila Sison, questioned whether the prosecution possesses credible evidence to substantiate its accusations.

“This court, and we as a people, must guarantee that all efforts to hold our leaders accountable must be done right,” Sison told senators. “Impeachment should never be abused.”

The impeachment complaint includes allegations that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth, misused confidential government funds and publicly threatened to have President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and a former House speaker assassinated if she herself were killed during the political dispute. Duterte has generally denied the accusations and has declined to address them publicly in detail before the trial.

Trial Follows Collapse of Marcos-Duterte Alliance

The impeachment proceedings come after the dramatic breakdown of the political alliance that brought Marcos and Duterte to power in the 2022 national elections.

Running on a joint ticket, the two united the influence of two of the Philippines’ most prominent political families. However, relations between the Marcos and Duterte camps quickly deteriorated after they assumed office.

The House of Representatives, where Marcos’ allies hold a majority, voted overwhelmingly last month to impeach the vice president.

Supporters of Duterte have accused the Marcos administration and its allies of using the impeachment process to weaken a potential rival ahead of the next presidential election.

Under the Philippine Constitution, at least two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 senators, must vote to convict the vice president.

Political and Foreign Policy Differences Deepened Rift

The political conflict has intensified since the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte’s father, on an International Criminal Court warrant last year.

Rodrigo Duterte was transferred to The Hague, where he is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 30 over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign. He has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings, although he repeatedly threatened suspected drug offenders while serving as president.

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

The two political camps have also differed sharply on foreign policy.

Marcos has strengthened defense cooperation with the United States, the Philippines’ treaty ally, while taking a firmer stance against China’s increasingly assertive activities in the disputed South China Sea.

By contrast, Rodrigo Duterte pursued closer relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his presidency while frequently criticizing Washington. Sara Duterte has also faced criticism for not publicly condemning China’s actions against Philippine forces and fishermen in disputed waters.

Senate Composition Adds Further Complexity

The impeachment trial unfolds as legal challenges involving several senators add another layer of political uncertainty.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is aligned with the Duterte political bloc, was arrested and detained last month on a nonbailable plunder charge related to an alleged flood-control bribery scheme. Estrada has denied wrongdoing.

Another Duterte ally in the Senate, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, was arrested Monday on a nonbailable plunder charge involving alleged undisclosed campaign donations. Marcoleta has also denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa remains out of public view after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant naming him as a co-perpetrator in the killings linked to Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa served as the former president’s national police chief during the crackdown.

The Senate trial is expected to continue through the coming months, with its outcome likely to have lasting implications for Philippine politics, governance and the balance of power ahead of the country’s next presidential election.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Topics: Philippines | Sara Duterte | Impeachment Trial | Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | Senate | Rodrigo Duterte | ICC | Politics

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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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