Mass Protests Erupt in Manila Demanding Impeachment of VP Duterte

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 04-02-2025

Widespread protests have erupted in the Philippines as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Manila, calling for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. The growing political turmoil follows allegations of corruption and misconduct against Duterte, who has been accused of misusing millions in public funds during her tenure as the country’s education secretary under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.

On Friday morning, crowds gathered in the capital, holding banners and placards demanding Duterte’s removal from office. Chants of “Impeach! Impeach Sara now!” echoed through the streets as protestors intensified their call for accountability. Authorities estimated that approximately 4,000 individuals participated in the demonstration. In anticipation of unrest, law enforcement agencies deployed a significantly larger force of 7,400 riot police to monitor the situation.

This protest follows an earlier massive gathering organized by a conservative religious sect that had voiced strong opposition to the impeachment efforts. That rally, held earlier this month, was considerably larger, demonstrating the deep division in public opinion regarding the vice president’s fate.

Duterte currently faces three separate impeachment complaints, all stemming from allegations that she engaged in financial mismanagement, diverting large sums of government funds during her time overseeing the Department of Education. However, despite the gravity of these accusations, the legislative process has stalled, with Congress yet to formally address the complaints. This delay is particularly significant given that lawmakers are set to adjourn next week ahead of the May midterm elections.

Percival Cendana, a member of the House of Representatives who supports one of the impeachment complaints, has urged his fellow legislators to act with urgency. He warned that inaction would only serve to reinforce a culture of impunity and embolden those who abuse their positions of power. “Every day that passes without action legitimizes the abuse of authority and political harassment we are witnessing,” Cendana told reporters.

For the impeachment process to move forward, at least one-third of the members of the House of Representatives must endorse it. If the measure gains sufficient support and proceeds to trial, Duterte could be removed from office, but only if two-thirds of the Senate vote in favor of her removal.

Despite the growing calls for impeachment, questions remain regarding whether Congress will take any decisive action before the upcoming elections. Skepticism has only deepened following a massive pro-Duterte demonstration earlier this month, which reportedly drew an estimated 1.5 million participants. The sheer size of this rally has fueled speculation that lawmakers may be reluctant to move forward with impeachment proceedings, fearing backlash from Duterte’s loyal supporters.

Adding to the uncertainty, the House Secretary General has indicated that the legislature may wait for a potential fourth complaint before deciding whether to refer the case to the Speaker of the House for further action.

The vice president, who is the constitutional successor to President Marcos Jr. in the event he becomes unable to perform his duties, has forcefully denied the allegations against her. She has dismissed the impeachment efforts as nothing more than politically motivated attacks designed to weaken her influence.

Tensions between Duterte and Marcos Jr. have been escalating ever since their public fallout last year. Their political alliance, which was once seen as a symbol of unity when they campaigned together in the 2022 elections, has since deteriorated into open hostility.

In a shocking revelation, Duterte has reportedly made inflammatory remarks about the president, his wife, and the Speaker of the House, even suggesting that she had contemplated having them assassinated. In a separate incident, she was quoted as saying that her relationship with Marcos Jr. had grown so “toxic” that she sometimes imagines “beheading” him. These statements have only added to the controversy surrounding her leadership.