Philippine Senate opens Sara Duterte impeachment trial
What's at stake: A conviction could derail the vice president's expected 2028 presidential bid after a trial likely to run at least three months.
The Philippine Senate opened the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, launching the first such case against a sitting vice president in the country's history. Prosecutors framed the proceedings as a test of accountability, while Duterte's lawyers argued the case is a political effort to overturn the choice of more than 32 million voters. Duterte is accused of misusing public funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady and a former House speaker. Clashes between Duterte allies and rival senators over court procedures delayed the start. Duterte did not attend the opening session. The trial is expected to last at least three months.