Philippines prosecutor gains ground in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The prosecutor's office has taken the lead in the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, as the defense attempts to undermine evidence and witnesses. The trial, which began in the Senate a month ago, could result in Duterte's permanent disqualification from public office.

Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is vying for a presidential run in 2028, contingent on not being found guilty. Her support in the Senate has weakened recently. The 48-year-old politician has not yet appeared in Parliament, where senators act as judges to determine her responsibility for alleged crimes, including embezzlement of 612.5 million Philippine pesos (approximately $10 million) in reserved funds during her tenure as vice president and education secretary. She also faces charges for threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The trial underscores the deep political division between the Marcos and Duterte clans, a rift that began to emerge early in the current administration and has intensified since the vice president's threats. Ederson Tapia, dean of public policy at the University of Makati, noted that the prosecution had a "relatively solid first month," constructing a timeline that connects documents and testimonies to demonstrate a supposed pattern of criminal activity. The Supreme Court's dismissal of defense petitions to halt the impeachment allows the trial to continue, despite Duterte having been acquitted in a similar case in 2025 due to procedural flaws.

Duterte's legal team asserts that her actions were lawful and that her threats against the president were "taken out of context." Tapia believes the final decision will hinge on the senators' evaluation of the evidence's legal sufficiency. A two-thirds Senate majority is required for Duterte's disqualification. While she initially had strong backing, her influence has waned following the arrest of allied senators for alleged embezzlement.