As the Philippines gears up for critical Senate elections, all eyes are on Vice President Sara Duterte, whose political future could be determined by the outcome of the vote. Though not on the ballot herself, the results will shape the composition of the Senate — the very body that will decide whether she should be removed from office.
The 46-year-old daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte has come under fire after a dramatic fallout with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., her 2022 running mate. Accused of misusing confidential funds and making threats against the president and his family, Duterte now faces impeachment proceedings initiated by the lower house.
From Alpha Politician to Political Pariah?
Duterte, who began her political career in 2007 as vice mayor of Davao under her father, is widely recognized for her no-nonsense, aggressive demeanor. Known colloquially as “the slugger” after a 2011 incident where she punched a court official, her brash personality has won her loyal supporters, especially in the south and among the Filipino diaspora.
In 2022, Duterte and Marcos secured a landslide victory. But their alliance unraveled quickly. Duterte was sidelined from her desired post as defense secretary and given the education portfolio instead. Further strain was added when confidential funds requested by her office came under scrutiny.
Explosive Feud With the Marcos Camp
Cracks widened after former President Rodrigo Duterte publicly accused Marcos of being a drug addict and a weak leader. First Lady Liza Marcos snubbed Sara Duterte at a public event shortly after, escalating tensions. Duterte later made incendiary remarks, saying she fantasized about decapitating Marcos and his family — remarks she now claims were taken out of context.
These comments became the centerpiece of an impeachment motion passed by the lower house in February 2025. If two-thirds of the Senate votes in favor, Duterte will be removed from office and barred from contesting future elections — including a potential run for the presidency in 2028.
Senate Elections: A Referendum on the Dutertes
Monday’s Senate elections are pivotal. Both the Marcos and Duterte camps are backing rival candidates. The results will not only determine the impeachment’s outcome but also serve as a national barometer of public sentiment toward the Duterte dynasty.
Duterte has dismissed the charges as a political vendetta and vowed to fight back. “I will not be silenced,” she said in a fiery press conference in February. Whether her defiance will translate into political survival remains uncertain.
Looking Ahead to 2028
The impeachment trial has become a make-or-break moment for Sara Duterte. Should she survive, she will remain a formidable contender in the 2028 presidential race, as the Philippine Constitution only allows presidents a single six-year term.
But a guilty verdict would end her political ambitions and further destabilize an already fractious government. For now, Sara Duterte’s future hangs in the balance — tethered to the choices of millions of voters and the loyalties of 24 senators.
Related: Rodrigo Duterte’s Controversial Legacy | Bongbong Marcos and the Marcos Political Dynasty
