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The Philippine Senate convened on Monday as an impeachment court to begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, who faces charges of misusing government funds, amassing unexplained wealth, and publicly threatening to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The proceedings mark the first time a vice president of the Philippines has undergone an impeachment trial.
More than 6,000 police officers, including anti-riot squads, were deployed to secure the Senate, where both supporters and detractors of Duterte gathered, as reported by Deutsche Welle and The Hindu.
The trial, which is expected to last 92 days, could determine whether Duterte is barred from running for president in the next election, according to Al Jazeera and The Hindu.
Coverage Comparison
Coverage from Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, and The Hindu consistently highlights the gravity of the trial and its political context. All three outlets note the charges against Duterte, including the alleged misuse of funds and threats against the president. Deutsche Welle provides additional details on the security measures and the trial's expected duration, while The Hindu emphasizes the political volatility of the event and the possibility of permanent disqualification from public office.
Al Jazeera reports that the trial began after months of heightened political tensions, framing the events as a culmination of the feud between the Duterte and Marcos families. The Hindu notes that the trial unfolds against the backdrop of a bitter political feud, and Deutsche Welle describes the growing rift between the two most influential political dynasties in the Philippines.
Key Claims
The charges against Sara Duterte include misuse of state funds, amassing unexplained wealth, and publicly threatening to have President Marcos assassinated. These allegations are based on statements Duterte made during a livestream in November 2024, where she suggested that someone should kill the President if she were killed, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Duterte has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted that the impeachment is politically motivated. Her defense lawyer argued that the case is a political attack, though Duterte did not appear in the Senate on Monday.
The trial could have significant political consequences. A conviction could lead to Duterte's permanent disqualification from holding public office, which would deal a severe blow to her announced plan to run for president in 2028. The Senate, which acts as the impeachment court, requires a two-thirds majority of its 24 members, or 16 votes, to convict the Vice President.
The political feud between the Marcos and Duterte families has been a central theme of the trial. The two families, who once joined forces in the 2022 elections, have seen their alliance rapidly deteriorate, leading to this unprecedented impeachment trial.
Perspectives
Prosecution: During the opening session, prosecutors focused on the corruption allegations, with Congresswoman Gerville Luistro stating, "If ordinary Filipinos are held to account, why not the most powerful government official? That is why the trial is important."
Defense: Duterte and her legal team have denied all allegations, characterizing the impeachment as politically motivated and part of a broader political feud.