By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-16 00:06:36 | Updated at 2025-01-16 03:15:32
3 hours ago
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s call to dismiss impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio has sparked discord within his inner circle, according to political insiders who see dangerous fault lines forming within his administration.
Three impeachment complaints against the vice-president have already been filed by various groups over accusations including issuing death threats against the president and the alleged misuse of more than 612.5 million pesos (US$10.5 million) in confidential funds.
Despite the increasingly acrimonious rift between Marcos Jnr and Duterte-Carpio, the president has consistently said the effort to impeach her is an unnecessary government distraction, describing it as a “storm in a teacup”, amid growing calls among his allies to oust her from office.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Wednesday a fourth impeachment complaint, currently being finalised, could secure enough support in the Lower House for Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment.
Impeachment in the Philippines proceeds in two steps: a one-third endorsement of lawmakers to formally impeach an official, or a more protracted process in the House to secure a majority vote, followed by immediate transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.
Velasco’s announcement followed a statement by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who said on Tuesday the president’s position “has not changed”.
