Vice President Sara Duterte of the Philippines was impeached by lawmakers on Wednesday, heightening political tensions in a key American ally in Asia.
Ms. Duterte faced four complaints regarding her alleged misuse of millions in public funds and claims that she had made plans to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., his wife, and the speaker of the House of Representatives, who is Mr. Marcos’s cousin.
In 2022, Ms. Duterte and Mr. Marcos, both from prominent political families, ran together in a national election, promising unity, and were elected in a landslide victory. However, their alliance was perceived as a strategic move and quickly deteriorated thereafter.
Ms. Duterte has denied the corruption allegations and characterized the impeachment as a politically motivated attack, a sentiment echoed by many Filipinos. Mr. Marcos has stated that he is not involved in the impeachment process, which poses a threat to her political future.
Political analysts caution that this situation may plunge the country into further political chaos. Aries Arugay, chairman of the political science department at the University of the Philippines, noted that, unlike in the United States, Ms. Duterte holds no critical function as vice president, suggesting that the motivation behind the impeachment is to thwart her potential future presidential aspirations.
Ms. Duterte has expressed intentions to run for president after Mr. Marcos’s six-year term concludes in 2028.
The political divide between the Dutertes and Marcoses extends to their views on foreign relations, particularly with the United States and China. Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Ms. Duterte’s father, favored closer ties with Beijing, while Mr. Marcos promotes stronger relations with Washington.
The impeachment threatens to escalate the rivalry between the two political families and their supporters. Paolo Duterte, a congressman and Ms. Duterte’s brother, expressed his outrage at what he described as a politically motivated impeachment effort.
On Wednesday afternoon, 215 out of 306 members of the House voted in favor of the impeachment. Applause erupted in the plenary hall following the announcement of the results.
Ms. Duterte will face a trial in the Philippine Senate when Congress reconvenes in June. A two-thirds vote is required for conviction, and analysts suggest it is improbable that the Senate, dominated by pro-Duterte officials, will convict her.
If found guilty, Ms. Duterte would be removed from office and barred from holding any public position. She could also face criminal and civil charges.
Public sentiment appears to be shifting, with many expressing frustration towards both the Marcoses and the Dutertes, believing that ongoing political drama is distracting leadership from critical issues such as poverty and unemployment. Recent approval ratings for both Mr. Marcos and Ms. Duterte have significantly declined.