Philippine VP Duterte’s backers ask Supreme Court to throw out impeachment

The Supreme Court has been petitioned by supporters of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte to overturn her impeachment, calling it an attack motivated by politics.

Lawyers for Duterte claimed in a petition filed on Tuesday that the impeachment, which was brought on by corruption and public trust, was pushed through without due process and should be overturned. Additionally, they demanded that the court prevent a potential Senate trial that might result in her being removed from office.

“There was no proper deliberation. There was no proper discussion”, said lawyer Israelito Torreon, one of 29 petitioners, outside a venue near the High Court in Manila. There was no lack of due process because the VP was not even summoned to respond to the alleged allegations.

According to Torreon, Duterte’s impeachment proceedings are likely to prevent him from running for president in 2028.

Alleged assassination plot, misused funds

Duterte, a former ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was impeached on February 5 and will face a federal court case this summer.

An alleged assassination plot against Marcos is one of the crimes she is accused of. Duterte claimed in an expletive-filled broadcast that he had instructed a man to kill Marcos if she was killed first. Duterte claims she was simply venting frustration with the administration.

Duterte is also accused of using intelligence funds to work as the vice president and the head of education before quitting as such when her relationship with the president sank last year. She hasn’t responded to the allegations of corruption in a dignified manner in the public.

After they shared a 2022 victory in the presidential election, Duterte and his running mate Marcos quickly forged a coalition.

While campaigning for senatorial candidates running in the upcoming midterm elections, to be held May 12, Marcos, without naming the Dutertes, has been publicly denouncing the bloody anti-drugs crackdown of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president’s father.