Philippines’ impeachment trial: court ruling heightens stakes for VP Sara

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio suffered a serious setback in her impeachment trial this week after the Senate allowed prosecutors to examine key financial records in an unexplained wealth case against her.Analysts said the Senate impeachment court’s ruling could give prosecutors a clearer route to show she amassed ill-gotten wealth and pull down her popularity ratings in time for the 2028 presidential election, thus raising the stakes for Duterte-Carpio as she fights not only to keep her office but also to avoid being barred from the race.Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero ruled on Monday that the records could be opened in connection with one of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte-Carpio, whose trial has become a test of both her political survival and the limits of accountability for one of the Philippines’ most powerful families.