Vice President Sara Duterte has petitioned the Supreme Court to annul her impeachment and prevent a Senate trial that could lead to her removal from office, AP reported.
Duterte’s legal team filed the request on Tuesday, arguing that the impeachment process was flawed and unconstitutional. Lawyer Israelito Torreon claimed the case was rushed, preventing lawmakers from thoroughly reviewing the complaint before it was forwarded to the Senate.
The House of Representatives, largely aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., voted to impeach Duterte on February 5. The charges against her include allegedly plotting to assassinate the president and misusing intelligence funds during her tenure as vice president and education secretary. She has denied any wrongdoing.
If convicted in the Senate, Duterte would be barred from holding public office. Her lawyer suggested the impeachment was politically motivated and aimed at sidelining her from the 2028 presidential race.
Duterte’s political ties with Marcos have soured in recent months. While campaigning for the upcoming midterm elections, Marcos has been vocal about his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial policies, including the violent drug war and his stance on the South China Sea dispute.
Meanwhile, former President Duterte faces legal trouble himself. He recently suggested eliminating 15 senators to create vacancies for his allies, prompting police to file criminal complaints against him.
