Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte impeached for a second time
The Philippine House of Representatives approved a second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. The motion is based on alleged misuse of confidential funds and abuse of office. The case will now be referred to the Senate for trial.
The House of Representatives vote was 245 in favour, 21 against, and 12 abstentions. The new complaint aims to fill the gap left by an earlier impeachment in 2024 that was dismissed by the Senate; it cites additional documents and testimony as evidence.
Sara Duterte had been accused, in the months following the first ruling, of unrecorded use of confidential funds totalling 612.5 million Philippine pesos from the Department of Education budget. The new motion also alleges that fund documentation was kept from auditors and that pressure was exerted during the period in office.
Vice President Duterte denied the allegations in her statement and said the process is politically motivated. After the vote, President Ferdinand Marcos said he is not involved in the proceedings. The Senate trial is expected to begin within the next three weeks.
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