Public hearings on the impeachment case against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte have started in Congress.
The impeachment trial is the latest in an explosive feud between the country's two main political dynasties - the Duterte and Marcos families. They formed a powerful political alliance which has since spectacularly unravelled.
Sara Duterte, 47, is accused of misusing public funds and threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. If convicted, she will be removed as vice-president and barred from running in elections.
Duterte denied the allegations in a written reply and described the hearings as a political fishing expedition.
Vice-President Sara Duterte is the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained by the International Criminal Court at The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his controversial 'war on drugs'.
Sara's alliance with Marcos was hailed as a political dream team and they won the 2022 elections by a landslide. However, this alliance has since deteriorated as they pursued separate political agendas.
Duterte's role as vice-president lacks substantial duties outside of her potential succession to Marcos's presidency. With the two officials elected separately, conflicts of interest have arisen in the past, particularly concerning their influence and political ambitions.
The impeachment process is serious, as the law stipulates that officials like the president, vice-president, and chief justice can be impeached for certain violations and misconduct.
Public support and the outcomes of these hearings could define the political landscape in the Philippines leading up to the 2028 elections, where Duterte is seen as a frontrunner for the presidency. The political stakes are high, with implications not just for the involved parties but also for the broader governance of the nation.
