Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s Supporters File Legal Battle in Supreme Court to Dismiss Impeachment

Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s Supporters File Legal Battle in Supreme Court to Dismiss Impeachment

Manila, February 18 – Supporters of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte have filed a petition in the country's Supreme Court seeking the dismissal of her impeachment, claiming that the process was politically motivated and passed without following proper procedures.

In a petition filed Tuesday, Duterte’s supporting lawyers stated that the impeachment—based on charges of corruption and betrayal of public trust—was rushed and should be nullified. They have urged the Supreme Court to block an upcoming Senate trial that could result in her removal from office. Lawyer Israelito Torreon, one of the 29 petitioners, told the High Court in Manila, "There was no proper deliberation or review. The Vice President was not called to defend herself against the allegations, so no process was followed."

Torreon also claimed that the impeachment was likely aimed at disqualifying Duterte from the 2028 presidential race.

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5 and is set to be formally tried in the Senate this summer. Among the accusations against her is an alleged assassination plot against President Marcos. This charge stems from an expletive-laden broadcast in which Duterte claimed that if she were killed, she had instructed a person to kill Marcos. Duterte has claimed that she was simply expressing frustration with the administration.

She is also accused of misusing intelligence funds and engaging in corruption during her tenure as Education Secretary before resigning from the position after her alliance with the president fractured last year. She has not publicly provided a detailed response to the corruption allegations.

Meanwhile, President Marcos, while campaigning for senatorial candidates for the upcoming May elections, has publicly criticized the violent anti-drug campaign of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, without mentioning the Duterte family by name.

Last week, Rodrigo Duterte, known for his violent rhetoric against political opponents, stated during a campaign rally that 15 senators should be killed to create more vacancies for his allies in the midterm elections. Police have filed a criminal complaint against the former president over these statements.