Senate to begin impeachment trial of VP Duterte

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6, marking the first time a sitting vice president will face such proceedings. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will hear four articles of impeachment alleging betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

The charges stem from a second impeachment approved by the House of Representatives on May 11, with 257 lawmakers voting in favor. They include the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, accusations of amassing unexplained wealth, bribery and procurement irregularities involving education officials, and making public threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte, who is the first Philippine official to be impeached twice, has denied all allegations, calling the case politically motivated.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian will preside over the trial, which is scheduled for 92 days. Proceedings will initially be held on...