Public hearings on the impeachment case against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte have started in Congress.
The impeachment trial is the latest in an explosive feud between the country's two main political dynasties - the Duterte and Marcos families. They formed a powerful political alliance which has since spectacularly unravelled.
Sara Duterte, 47, is accused of misusing public funds and threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. If convicted, she will be removed as vice-president and barred from running in elections.
Duterte denied the allegations in a written reply and described the hearings as a political fishing expedition.
The hearings, which began on March 25, 2026, will scrutinize the evidence against her as well as her responses to the charges presented. While the vice-president has been invited to testify, her attendance remains uncertain.
The outcome of the impeachment proceedings could shape Sara Duterte's political future significantly, especially as she announced her candidacy for the presidency in the upcoming 2028 elections.
In addition, this political drama unfolds against the backdrop of a prior alliance that once positioned Duterte and Marcos Jr. as a formidable duo, winning the 2022 elections decisively.
If convicted, Duterte risks losing her political aspirations; however, surviving this impeachment may further bolster her status within Philippine politics.
As the hearings progress, both public interest and political tension continue to rise, with the potential for significant implications for the future leadership landscape in the Philippines.
