Sara Duterte impeachment trial begins in Manila amid heavy security

The impeachment trial of Philippines Vice-President Sara Duterte has begun in Manila, marking a major escalation in a political dispute that has been building for more than a year. The proceedings are taking place at the Senate building, where thousands of police officers have been deployed ahead of expected large-scale protests. Supporters and opponents of Ms Duterte are both expected to gather as the case moves into a new phase.

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The trial began on 6 July, according to the supplied material, after the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in May to impeach her. She faces four articles of impeachment, including allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption within the education department, and alleged assassination threats. A prosecution team spokesperson described the case as significant, underscoring the political weight attached to the proceedings.

If convicted, Ms Duterte would be removed as vice-president and could be barred from running for higher office. That possibility gives the trial immediate importance beyond the courtroom, because she has already said she intends to run for president in 2028 and is reported to have a sizeable lead in polls. The case therefore has direct implications for the country's next presidential race and for the balance of power among its leading political families.

The trial is also unfolding against the backdrop of a widening rift between the Duterte and Marcos camps. Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte won the 2022 election together, but the alliance later fractured, and Ms Duterte resigned from the cabinet in June 2024 while remaining vice-president. The current proceedings are being watched as another sign of the deterioration in relations between two of the most powerful dynasties in the Philippines.

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The wider family context adds to the political sensitivity. Ms Duterte is the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is separately facing proceedings in The Hague on war crimes allegations. The supplied material says an International Criminal Court prosecutor told judges that he personally instructed members of a death squad to kill suspected criminals and drug users.

That separate case has already placed the Duterte name at the centre of international scrutiny. For now, the main questions are how the Senate trial will proceed, how much public unrest it will generate, and whether the evidence will be enough to secure a conviction. It is also unclear how the case will affect Ms Duterte's standing as the 2028 election approaches.

What happens next in the Senate will be closely watched for its legal, political and electoral consequences.

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