Philippines VP Sara Duterte Faces Impeachment Trial Starting July 30

Vice President Sara Duterte is set to face an impeachment trial starting July 30, with 24 senators acting as judges. The House of Representatives impeached her on charges including graft, corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and involvement in extrajudicial killings. Duterte has expressed that she has no expectations regarding the trial's outcome and is at peace with whatever verdict is reached, whether acquittal or conviction. Despite her lawyers' efforts to avoid the trial, Duterte insists on proceeding, stating she wants a “bloodbath” to expose the legal maneuvers of her opponents. The trial poses a significant political threat, as a conviction could remove her from office and bar her from future public positions, potentially destabilizing the current administration and impacting the 2028 presidential race. Prosecutors include representatives Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno, known critics of Duterte, adding a political dimension to the proceedings.