The Philippine House of Representatives voted May 11, 2026, to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte and send her to the Senate for trial [4].
This move marks a significant escalation in the political conflict between the vice president and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The outcome could result in the removal of the country's second-highest official if the Senate finds her guilty of the charges.
The process began earlier this month when the House Committee on Justice adopted a report May 4, 2026 [3]. During that phase, the chair of the House Committee on Justice said, "We have found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte" [2].
The impeachment articles center on accusations that Duterte plundered public funds and plotted against President Marcos Jr. [0, 5]. During the proceedings, the House Committee on Justice noted that Duterte did not attend the hearings. The chairperson of the House Committee on Justice said, "Support for Vice President Sara Z. Duterte does not place her beyond constitutional accountability" [1].
The final plenary vote on Monday resulted in a landslide decision. While one report indicated 255 lawmakers voted in favor [6], the final tally showed 257 lawmakers voting for impeachment [4]. A total of 25 lawmakers voted against the measure [4].
Following the vote, an unnamed House representative said, "The House has spoken, and the articles of impeachment will now go to the Senate for trial" [7].
“The House has spoken, and the articles of impeachment will now go to the Senate for trial.”
The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte signifies a breakdown in the political alliance between the Duterte and Marcos families. By moving the case to the Senate, the House has transitioned a political dispute into a formal legal process. The trial will now determine whether the allegations of plunder and conspiracy against the president are sufficient to warrant her removal from office.
