Manila: Vice-President Sara Duterte, a dominant political figure and potential frontrunner for the 2028 Philippine presidential election, is confronting a renewed wave of impeachment complaints filed on Monday at the House of Representatives in Manila. The fresh petitions, lodged by progressive civil society groups and activist coalitions, mark a dramatic escalation in political tensions nearly a year after a previous impeachment effort was struck down by the country’s Supreme Court.
The complaints were submitted by members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Makabayan) coalition and other sectoral representatives, who returned to Congress following the lapse of the constitutional one-year ban that prevented the House from initiating new impeachment proceedings against Duterte during 2025. The ban, upheld by the Supreme Court last July as part of its ruling that invalidated the earlier impeachment drive, expired this week, clearing the way for fresh filings.
The newly filed impeachment complaints reiterate and expand upon allegations at the heart of previous efforts, accusing the vice president of “betrayal of public trust,” misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, abuse of power, and other serious charges. One of the complaints includes a sworn statement from a former aide alleging that he acted as a bagman for funds reportedly delivered to Duterte’s security detail and that her 2022 election campaign may have been financed with proceeds from illegal activities, including Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and unlawful drug trade-related money.
Progressive lawmakers and complainants stressed that this refiling is not merely a repetition of past grievances. “Hindi ito recycled complaint… dahil hanggang ngayon, hindi pa sumasagot nang personal si VP Sara Duterte sa mga kaso ng katiwalian, pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, at pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan,” said one endorsing lawmaker, emphasizing that Duterte has yet to directly answer the corruption and power-abuse allegations in an appropriate legal forum.
The impeachment drama has its roots in late 2024 and early 2025, when multiple impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte by various groups. In July 2025, the Supreme Court declared the impeachment process unconstitutional, not on the merits of the allegations, but because the House had violated the constitutional clause barring multiple impeachments against the same official within one year and procedural due-process rules. That ruling effectively halted the impeachment trial before it could take place in the Senate and held that new complaints could only be filed starting February 6, 2026.
Members of the House, including supporters of the refiling, argue that the substance of the allegations remains valid and should be examined on its merits once the constitutional bar has lapsed.
Duterte’s legal team has dismissed the fresh complaints as lacking “factual and legal basis,” saying they are prepared to contest the charges robustly through constitutional processes. Her spokesperson, lawyer Michael Poa, reiterated confidence that a fair review will demonstrate the complaints’ deficiencies.
The impeachment efforts unfold against a backdrop of growing political rivalry between Duterte and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. once allies, now increasingly seen as competitors ahead of the 2028 elections. Duterte, who resigned as education secretary in 2024 to focus on her vice-presidential duties, is widely seen as a leading figure in her own right within the Philippine political landscape. Marcos, constitutionally barred from re-election as president, has continued to affirm his respect for constitutional processes, including any impeachment actions that may be initiated against Duterte.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the House will first review and decide whether to endorse the complaints. If a majority supports the articles of impeachment, the case would then be transmitted to the Senate, which would act as an impeachment court. Conviction and removal from office would require a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. Analysts say the evolving composition of the Senate including gains by Duterte-aligned politicians in the latest midterm elections could influence the dynamics of any future trial.
As the Philippines watches the unfolding political developments, the renewed impeachment bids against one of its most influential leaders underscore an intensifying chapter in the nation’s democratic process, where legal battles and political strategy intersect at the highest levels of government.