Election season has officially begun in the Philippines, with the filing of candidacies of prospective candidates for the midterm polls scheduled for May 2025. But aside from election-related activities, the prospect that Vice President Sara Duterte could face impeachment is expected to dominate the local news and political scene until the end of the year.
The elections and impeachment reflect the worsening rift between two factions in the ruling coalition, led by the Marcos and Duterte clans. This became evident when the senatorial slate of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did not include incumbent senators who are known to be close allies of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.
The president’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, was included in the lineup but disassociated herself from the administration coalition and declared that she would undertake an independent bid for reelection.
“I chose to stand alone so that my ading (younger brother) will no longer be put in a difficult position, and my true friends won’t have to hesitate,” she said in a video message posted on her social media page. “I choose to remain free and loyal – not to any group, but to every Filipino,” she added.
She didn’t mention who her true friends are but she has publicly defended the Dutertes, especially the vice president.
Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte revealed that her party only has two members left and that they will not be endorsing senatorial candidates next year. Her father belongs to a different party which used to be part of the unity government headed by Marcos.
Party affiliation is almost irrelevant in getting elected to national positions in the Philippines – Duterte won the presidency in 2016 without the initial backing of major parties that time – but the reduced membership of the Duterte-led parties is an indicator of their diminished clout compared to the government machinery under the control of Marcos.
The impact of the shifting political allegiances will be felt not just in the 2025 election but during the filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte when Congress resumes its sessions next month. She repeatedly told the media that legislators have been talking about removing her from office through impeachment.
Her combative stance during the recent budget hearings in Congress infuriated the House leadership, which responded by reducing the funds available to her office. Instead of addressing the irregularities flagged by government auditors concerning her budget expenses, Duterte not only refused to properly answer but also accused legislators of sowing intrigue and fabricating lies.
After the passage of the proposed 2025 budget, Congress continued its committee investigation into the reported misuse of funds by Duterte. A former official testified that she was forced to resign after questioning the procurement process in the computerization program of the education department which was previously headed by Duterte. The continuing hearings in Congress could unearth more damning evidence against Duterte, which could be used as basis to file an impeachment complaint against her.
After determining if there’s solid grounds on which to impeach Duterte, the next challenge is to secure the support of legislators who will endorse the impeachment petition. If one-third of House members sign the complaint, it will be immediately transmitted to the Senate which has to convene an impeachment trial. Duterte could then either face her detractors in the Senate or avoid impeachment by resigning.
Therefore, the start of election season this week will not only provide a peek into the next set of local and legislative leaders but also the incumbent officials who decided to join the Marcos-led coalition and may be inclined to vote in favor of impeaching Duterte.
Impeachment is seriously being considered a year after the Dutertes openly started attacking the Marcos government. It is visibly the result of their maneuver for political dominance. However, the demand for accountability has also been a consistent clamor of various stakeholders. The discussion over impeachment should serve as a lesson and a warning to both Duterte and Marcos camps and their allies that being elected to power does not give them the mandate to commit misconduct and betray public trust.