Philippine Senate sends Sara Duterte impeachment case back to House

Prospects for a Senate trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte were thrown into doubt late Tuesday, after the Senate voted to return the articles of impeachment to the House to ensure they aren’t in breach of the constitution. 

Voting 18-5, senators approved a motion put forward by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, which amended another senator’s motion that had sought to dismiss the impeachment outright.

The motion from Cayetano, an ally of Sara Duterte’s father, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, notes that returning the articles of impeachment is not dismissing or terminating the case.

The development came as the Senate convened as an impeachment court late Tuesday for the trial of Sara Duterte, who denies charges that include plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and misusing public funds. While Marcos and Duterte ran on a joint ticket in 2022, they have since had a spectacular falling-out amid political differences.

Tuesday’s development underscores the complexity of bringing about a Senate trial for a sitting vice president, especially as the Duterte family retains significant public support. Last week, the vice president had questioned whether her impeachment trial can go forward in July after a new set of senators take office. 

The second part of the motion specifies that the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress communicates that “it is willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint.” Duterte was impeached earlier this year by the House of the 19th Congress, with a new set of lawmakers set to take their seats following May 12 elections.