Philippine efforts to unseat Duterte-Carpio face snags: too popular to impeach?

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio is facing three new impeachment complaints, setting the stage for renewed scrutiny aimed at preventing her from becoming the country’s next leader. But unseating her and barring her from politics will not be easy.The complaints are awaiting action from the House of Representatives, dominated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s allies, which resumes sessions next week.The accusations range from misuse of public funds to an assassination threat against Marcos – claims she denies. Her lawyer has said the complaints were “devoid of both factual and legal basis”.Even with the president’s allies holding a majority in the House, there are doubts whether they will support impeaching his former ally.Duterte-Carpio, daughter of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, has said she is considering a presidential run in 2028 and is emerging as a strong contender, with rising popularity and a loyal base in the country’s south.Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Representative Leila de Lima (left) looks on as petitioners file an impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday. Photo: Mamamayang Liberal Partylist/EPAThe latest complaints against Marcos’ deputy were largely the same as last year’s and what was “crucial is whether the impeachment of the VP still has the support of one-third of the House membership”, said Congresswoman Leila de Lima, a critic of the Duterte family who endorsed two of the three complaints filed against the vice-president this year.