'Assassination plot' impeachment trial involving Duterte dynasty begins in Manila

'Assassination plot' impeachment trial involving Duterte dynasty begins in Manila Mon 6 Jul 2026 at 4:06pm A highly consequential impeachment trial against Philippines Vice-President Sara Duterte could spell the end for her political career and shape the nation's 2028 election. The trial, which begins today, marks a further reversal of fortunes for the Duterte family, with the vice-president's father and former president, Rodrigo Duterte, currently in front of the Hague on war crimes allegations. Thousands of police officers are being deployed to secure the Senate building in Manila ahead of expected large-scale protests, which will include both supporters of Duterte and those who want to see her impeached. The trial is seen as another step in the deterioration of the relationship between two of the most powerful political families and dynasties in the Philippines. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr, son of the late dictator Marcos Snr, and Sara Duterte joined forces in the 2022 election and won in a landslide. But in June 2024, Duterte resigned from the cabinet as education secretary, remaining as vice-president, amid a widening rift between the two. In November 2024, Ms Duterte made global headlines when she revealed she had ordered an assassin to murder President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife and the speaker of the House of Representatives, in the event she herself was killed. In May this year, the Philippines' House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to impeach Ms Duterte, paving the way for the Senate to conduct the trial. Ms Duterte faces trial over four articles of impeachment, misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption within the education department, and alleged assassination threats. If convicted, Sara Duterte would be removed as vice-president and she could be barred from running for higher office. She has already announced her intention to run for president in 2028 and enjoys a sizeable lead in polls. In a press conference before proceedings began, House prosecution team spokesperson Representative Renee Co said the case was "significant … for the future of our democracy". "To our fellow young Filipinos, this is our history," she said. "The public deserves to hear the evidence. We encourage, therefore, the Filipino people and the youth to follow the proceedings with an open mind, listen to the evidence … and participate in conversations grounded on facts. "The decisions we make today will help shape the country that our generation, your generation, will inherit." In a statement, Ms Duterte's brother and member of the House of Representatives, Paolo 'Pulong' Duterte, said the "Filipino people deserve facts, not rumours". "Vice President Sara Duterte has made it clear that she is prepared to face the charges against her," he said. "We are confident that she will be given the opportunity to answer every allegation in the proper forum and under the proper process." "We remain hopeful that this trial will not only settle the issues being raised but also expose the motivations behind them." Hopes that Duterte does not 'ghost' Witnesses from the National Bureau of Investigation will be called to give evidence first, with the trial expected to first hear about the assassination threats. The Senate has instructed Ms Duterte to appear, although she may be represented instead by her legal team. One House representative said she hoped Ms Duterte would not 'ghost' the Filipino people. Ms Duterte was first impeached in February last year, although the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional. It has been a chaotic few months for the Philippines Senate to get to this point. A tussle over leadership of the Senate saw Ronald 'Bato' (Rock) dela Rosa emerge from hiding to help cast a decisive vote to install a Duterte loyalist as Senate president. As he appeared, the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa, the former chief of the Philippine National Police under Rodrigo Duterte, for crimes against humanity. It sparked a dramatic chase through the Senate building, captured on CCTV, as federal officers pursued him. He took refuge but was able to evade arrest days later when gunshots were fired inside the Senate, throwing the building into a state of panic. Dela Rosa remains in hiding. However, Marcos-aligned senators retook control of the Senate last month. Rodrigo Duterte remains at the Hague, awaiting trial into three counts of crimes against humanity over his deadly anti-drugs crackdown during his time as president and while mayor of Davao in the southern Philippines. He is accused of being an "indirect co-perpetrator" in dozens of murders that took place in the context of his "war on drugs", including accusations he personally instructed members of a death squad to kill suspected criminals and drug users. The trial at the Senate could last months, and each article requires a two-thirds vote to convict. Several pro-Duterte aligned senators have already flagged they will vote to acquit Sara Duterte.