Philippine presidential hopeful Sara Duterte impeached for second time

"The Philippine vice-president, Sara Duterte, has been impeached over allegations she misused public funds, amassed unexplained wealth and threatened the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his wife, in a case that could complicate her presidential ambitions. Duterte, the daughter of the detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, was impeached by an overwhelming majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives, which is dominated by allies of Marcos. She previously ran to be vice-president in a joint campaign with Marcos, but they are now fierce enemies."

"The complaints against her will now be passed to the Senate, where she will face trial. If found guilty, Duterte will be banned from public office, derailing her plan to run for president in 2028. Sara Duterte denies threatening the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos, his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, and his cousin Martin Romualdez. Photograph: Ezra Acayan/EPA She has denied any wrongdoing."

"In a statement, her defence counsel said: The burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims in accordance with the constitution, the law, and rules on evidence. Duterte has led many early opinion polls ahead of the 2028 election, and her family remains a powerful force in Philippine politics despite the legal battles surrounding it. Her father was last year arrested and sent to the international criminal court in The Hague."

"It is far from certain that Sara Duterte will be found guilty by the Senate. A conviction in an impeachment trial requires the backing of two-thirds of its 24 members, and analysts point out that Duterte has stronger support in the Senate compared with the lower house, after candidates aligned with her family performed better than expected in midterm elections last year."

Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives over allegations of misusing public funds, amassing unexplained wealth, and threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos, and Martin Romualdez. The case will move to the Senate for trial. If convicted, Duterte would be banned from public office, potentially derailing her plan to run for president in 2028. Duterte denies wrongdoing and says the accusers must substantiate their claims under the constitution, law, and evidence rules. Duterte has led early opinion polls for 2028, and her family remains influential in Philippine politics. Her father, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested and sent to the International Criminal Court in The Hague over crimes against humanity related to the war on drugs.

Read at www.theguardian.com