Philippine Vice President Duterte Vows to Fight Impeachment Case

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has vowed to fight the impeachment case against her, as the House of Representatives voted to impeach her on Wednesday. The move, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s allies, has deepened a bitter political rift between the two highest leaders of one of Asia's most rambunctious democracies.

The House of Representatives, with 215 votes, signed a petition to impeach Duterte, significantly more than the required number to rapidly send the petition to the Senate. The complaint accused Duterte of plotting to assassinate the president, large-scale corruption, and failing to strongly denounce China's aggressive actions against Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea.

Duterte, who didn't immediately comment on her impeachment, has repeatedly accused Marcos, his wife, and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, of corruption, weak leadership, and attempting to muzzle her because of speculation she may seek the presidency in 2028 after Marcos's six-year term ends.

The impeachment complaint against Duterte includes seven articles of impeachment, ranging from culpable violation of the Constitution to betrayal of public trust. The complaint also mentioned her silence over China's increasingly assertive actions in the disputed waters and her description of the administration's handling of territorial disputes with Beijing as a "fiasco."

The Philippine peso fell by 0.2% on Wednesday, marking its worst trading day in nearly three weeks. Philippine shares dropped as much as 0.8%, hitting their lowest point since mid-December. This slump follows Duterte's resignation from her cabinet roles, sparking political uncertainty.



The Southeast Asian nation has a history of impeaching government officials, most notably former President Joseph Estrada and Chief Justice Renato Corona. An impeachment trial could result in removal and disqualification from holding office, as per the 1987 Constitution.

The ongoing impeachment proceedings against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte could potentially impact the stability and performance of the Philippine stock market in the long term. Political uncertainty often influences investor sentiment and market behavior, leading to increased market volatility and a decline in investor confidence. To mitigate these potential long-term impacts, it is crucial for the government to maintain transparency and stability throughout the impeachment process. A fair and timely resolution of the impeachment proceedings can help restore investor confidence and prevent long-term damage to the Philippine stock market. Additionally, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) can play a role in maintaining monetary policy stability and reassuring investors about the country's economic prospects.