The drawn-out process also carries political risks for both camps, with some lawmakers arguing that a failed Senate conviction could ultimately strengthen Duterte-Carpio ahead of the 2028 race.
The House of Representatives’ justice committee on Wednesday voted – with only one dissent – to declare the third and fourth impeachment complaints against Duterte-Carpio “sufficient in substance”, allowing the process to move forward and requiring the vice-president to formally respond.
The case unfolds against the backdrop of a deepening political rupture between Duterte-Carpio and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, whose alliance swept them to power in 2022 but has since collapsed into a bitter feud.
A conviction in a Senate impeachment trial would remove Duterte-Carpio from office and disqualify her from holding future public posts, potentially derailing any presidential bid.
Even so, opposition Liberal Party congressman Edgar Erice said the road to impeachment would be far from straightforward.
“This is not a cakewalk. This is not easy,” Erice said in an interview on Thursday.
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