Supreme Court Blocks Impeachment Attempt Against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte

In a pivotal decision, the Philippine Supreme Court has effectively quashed an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, delivering a significant boost to her political standing. This ruling follows a vote by the lower house in February, where lawmakers sought to impeach Duterte on allegations of misusing government funds and threatening President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The court's spokesperson stated that the impeachment process contravened a constitutional restriction on holding multiple impeachment cases within a single year.

While the Supreme Court's ruling does not absolve Duterte of accusations, it does provide her with a crucial reprieve from potential removal from office until February 2026. This decision also affords Duterte the opportunity to consolidate her support base ahead of the pivotal 2028 presidential elections. The likelihood of successfully pursuing impeachment in the Senate remained tenuous from the outset, primarily due to the shifting political dynamics following the May elections, which saw Duterte's faction unexpectedly secure additional Senate seats—a move perceived by many as a rejection of the current administration.

The composition of the 15-member Supreme Court is heavily influenced by appointments made by Duterte's father, adding another layer to the political implications of this decision. Historically, impeachment proceedings in the Philippines are fraught with controversy and division; since the return to democracy in 1986, only one impeachment trial—against former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona—has concluded with a conviction, emphasizing the complexity and volatility of such political maneuvers in the nation's landscape.