Impeaching Sara Duterte: are the walls closing in on the Philippine vice-president?

Two possible grounds for impeachment have been identified: corruption and betrayal of public trust. The allegations stem from accusations of misappropriating funds from both the Office of the Vice-President and the Department of Education during her tenure as education secretary.

“In these two instances, unless of course they can prove that the use of the funds is justified, but as we see it, they really have liability,” Joel Chua, a lawmaker leading the House committee investigation into Duterte-Carpio, said in a statement on Monday.

Asked about the likelihood of support from fellow lawmakers for the impeachment case, Chua expressed uncertainty. He did, however, suggest that if Duterte-Carpio were removed from office, she could face criminal corruption charges.

“So after the impeachment, once proven or impeached, that’s the time for cases to be filed against the vice-president,” he said.