Philippines Supreme Court Blocks Impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte

Top Court Rules Impeachment Vote Unconstitutional

In a dramatic turn of events, the Philippine Supreme Court has blocked the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, citing a violation of the country’s constitutional ban on multiple impeachment attempts within a single year.

The move delivers a significant political win for Duterte, whose position was under serious threat following a lower house vote to impeach her earlier this year.

Allegations and Political Fallout

In February 2025, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Sara Duterte over allegations of misusing public funds and a threatening comment aimed at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The latter allegation stemmed from a controversial Facebook post, where Duterte claimed that if she were to be assassinated, she had ensured that the President would be “killed too.”

Despite the seriousness of the charges, the Supreme Court clarified that its ruling does not absolve Duterte, but rather upholds the constitutional process, delaying any further action until at least February 2026.

Implications for 2028 Presidential Race

The court’s ruling gives Sara Duterte valuable political breathing room, especially as she eyes a possible 2028 presidential bid. Had the impeachment succeeded, she would have been barred from running for office.

Now, Duterte has time to consolidate support, rebuild her image, and strategically prepare for a national campaign in a highly polarized political environment.

The Duterte-Marcos Political Rift Deepens

Once hailed as allies under the powerful “Uniteam” coalition in 2022, Sara Duterte and President Marcos have since become bitter political rivals. Tensions peaked when Rodrigo Duterte, Sara’s father and former president, called Marcos a “drug addict.”

The situation escalated further in late 2024, when Rodrigo Duterte was extradited to The Hague to face crimes against humanity charges related to his deadly war on drugs—an internationally condemned campaign that reportedly killed thousands.

The family feud, now intertwined with national politics, continues to divide loyalties and fuel unrest in the government and among the public.

Senate Impeachment Trial Was Always Uncertain

Even before the Supreme Court intervened, analysts suggested that an actual Senate impeachment trial was unlikely to succeed. The recent May elections saw Duterte’s allies gain more seats in the Senate, tilting political momentum in her favor.

Observers viewed this as a public rebuke of the Marcos administration, signaling growing dissatisfaction with the incumbent president’s leadership.

A Rare Move in Philippine Political History

Impeachment proceedings in the Philippines are notoriously rare and contentious. Since the country’s return to democracy in 1986, only one official has been successfully convicted through impeachment: Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012, who was found guilty of hiding assets.

The 2001 impeachment attempt against President Joseph Estrada ended in chaos, with mass street protests forcing him from office before the trial could conclude.

Given this turbulent history, the Supreme Court’s intervention may have prevented another constitutional crisis.

Looking Ahead

For now, Sara Duterte remains vice president, bolstered by a legal victory and strengthened political position. While the Supreme Court ruling defers the possibility of impeachment, the deeper question of accountability versus power remains a pressing issue in Philippine politics.

With both Duterte and Marcos likely to vie for dominance ahead of the 2028 general elections, the rivalry between two of the nation’s most powerful dynasties is far from over.

Tags: Philippines politics, Sara Duterte impeachment, Supreme Court ruling, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Duterte vs Marcos, 2028 presidential elections, Uniteam breakup, Rodrigo Duterte Hague, Philippine political crisis