Philippine Supreme Court voids impeachment complaint against VP Duterte

Philippine Vice President delivers a statement in Philippines, 7 February, 2025
Reuters

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has won a major legal victory on Friday after the Supreme Court struck down an impeachment complaint against her, declaring it unconstitutional.

The lower house of Congress impeached Duterte in February, accusing her of misusing public funds, amassing unusual wealth, and threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the First Lady, and the House Speaker.

The court said its ruling did not absolve Duterte of the charges.

The decision is seen as a boost to Duterte’s political ambitions. She is widely viewed as a strong contender for the 2028 presidential election, which Marcos cannot join due to a single-term limit.

A conviction would have barred Duterte from public office for life. She has called the impeachment move, which came amid a bitter feud with Marcos, politically motivated.

Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is in the custody of the International Criminal Court over his bloody war on drugs. He has denied wrongdoing.

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