Philippines’ Sara Duterte hits back against wealth allegations as impeachment looms

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio and her husband are firing back at allegations of ill-gotten wealth as impeachment proceedings appear imminent. Lawmakers expect the House of Representatives to submit Articles of Impeachment against Duterte-Carpio to the Senate by the first week of May. Liberal Party MP Edgar Erice predicted 160 to 180 of the 318 legislators would vote 'yes', while ACT Teachers Partylist's Antonio Tinio said action would come after May 4 when the Senate resumes. The 24-member Senate would then sit as senator-judges, with Senate President Vicente Sotto III presiding over the trial.

Duterte-Carpio has been preparing for this battle since late 2023. She stated on January 29 that she and her husband had retained lawyers as early as the fourth quarter of 2023, immediately after a House member announced plans to file a case against her. The vice-president's husband also filed a complaint against senior officials and lawmakers for allegedly leaking the couple's bank information. Critics say the evidence against Duterte-Carpio will be a "smoking gun" when presented to the Senate, though she maintains her innocence and frames the allegations as politically motivated.