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Philippines: Vice president threatened president with murder, may lose eligibility
🇫🇮 Finland /Elections & Politics

Philippines: Vice president threatened president with murder, may lose eligibility

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial for alleged misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and bribery.
  • The trial could lead to her removal from office and disqualification from future elections.
  • Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., elected on a joint ticket, have since had a severe falling out.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is at the center of an impeachment trial that could see her removed from office and barred from future elections. The charges include alleged misuse of public funds, unexplained personal wealth, and bribery.

Putin wants to end the war, he wants it badly.

— Donald TrumpDuring a statement from the Oval Office, commenting on Vladimir Putin's intentions regarding the war in Ukraine.

Duterte, 48, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 68, son of the late dictator, were elected on a joint ticket in 2022 but have since become estranged. Their political rift began when Marcos did not appoint Duterte as defense minister, a position she publicly sought. Instead, she accepted the education portfolio, which she relinquished in mid-2024 amid questions about financial irregularities.

The NATO leaders support the intensification of drone attacks as part of efforts to force Moscow back to the negotiating table.

— Alexander StubbIn an interview with the Financial Times, discussing Ukraine's strategy and its impact on the war.

The strained relationship was further exacerbated by Rodrigo Duterte's accusations that Marcos is a drug addict and his calls for a coup. In November 2024, Sara Duterte claimed she was the target of an assassination plot and stated she had ordered Marcos's killing if she were to be assassinated first. This public feud likely contributed to authorities allowing former President Rodrigo Duterte to be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2025 to face charges related to his deadly "war on drugs."

Putin is increasingly desperate, he is bombing Ukrainian cities but not advancing at the front, amassing dead after dead among his soldiers.

— Mark RutteSpeaking to the press about the current state of the war and Russia's military situation.

Sara Duterte was considered a strong contender to succeed Marcos in the 2028 presidential election, with a recent poll showing 51% support. However, a conviction in the impeachment case would prevent her candidacy. The House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings against her in May, with Marcos's allies actively pushing the case, though the president has not publicly endorsed the impeachment.

For Russian families it is a tragedy but for Ukraine it is a success.

— Mark RutteCommenting on the impact of the war on both sides and the importance of continued support for Ukraine.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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