Thousands Of People Call For Impeachment Of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte

JAKARTA - The former president's daughter faces three impeachment complaints for alleged misuse of millions of dollars in public funds.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Manila to demand impeachment by the Vice President of the Philippines, Sara Duterte.

Protesters in the capital hold a placard calling for Duterte's impeachment as they gather on Friday, January 31, 2025, morning local time.

According to local police information, about 4,000 people took part in the demonstration, while authorities deployed 7,400 antihuru-hara police.

A larger demonstration was held earlier this month by conservative sects opposing impeachment calls made in December 2024.

Duterte faced three impeachment complaints for alleged violations and misuse of millions of dollars in government funds when he served as Minister of Education under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.

MPs have not handled it days before Congress closes next week, before the May 2025 part-time elections.

A member of the Philippine House of Representatives, Percival Cendana, who supports one of the impeachment complaints, urged his colleagues to move quickly.

"Every day there is no act of forgiveness for the impunity, abuse of power, and harassment by Duterte against the leaders of our country," he told reporters.

The impeachment will only be continued if it is supported by a third of the members of the Philippine House of Representatives. The impeachment official can be removed from office by two-thirds of the Senate.

"The Filipino people are here, ready to defend the truth and justice. Don't disappoint them," Cendana said.

However, since pro-Duterte rallies, which attracted about 1.5 million people, raised questions about Congress' desire to follow up on the complaint before a part-time election.

Secretary-General of the Philippine House of Representatives said the legislative body was waiting for a potential fourth complaint before referring it to the chairman of the Philippine House of Representatives.

The 46-year-old vice president, who is no longer close to Marcos but remains his constitutional successor if he cannot carry out his duties, has denied accusations against him and called him politically motivated.

Since his separation from Marcos Jr last year, he has threatened the president, first lady, and chairman of the Philippine House of Representatives with murder.

In October 2024, he told reporters that his relationship with Marcos had become so toxic that he sometimes imagined being parried.

Duterte and Marcos campaigned as they advanced together in the 2022 national elections.

Duterte is the daughter of Marcos' predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who is notorious for her abusive language and controversial war on drugs being investigated by the International Criminal Court.

Marcos has urged Congress not to continue impeachment of Duterte and called it a "treat in a teacup" that would distract the legislature from its main responsibility.