A trial has begun in the Philippines’ Senate to decide if Sara Duterte should be impeached, in a first for a sitting vice-president
Thousands of police officers have been deployed outside the Senate building amid worries of unrest.
Recent weeks have seen heightened political tension including an alleged shooting, arrests and street protests
Duterte is charged with corruption and for publicly threatening to have President Bongbong Marcos assassinated- she has denied the charges, calling them political harassment.
If found guilty, the 48-year-old daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte will be disqualified from running for president in 2028
Sara Duterte has been locked in a bitter feud with Marcos for years. This trial shifts their power struggle to a new battleground and tests how much support each can muster, says our reporter Joel Guinto.
● Filipinos keeping a close eye on historic trial
As the trial unfolds inside the Senate building in the capital, Filipinos across the nation are also keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
Livestreams of the trial, hosted by major media networks and the Senate’s official YouTube channel, have each attracted tens of thousands of viewers.
At least one organisation monitoring the impeachment trial, Bantay Senado, is holding a watch party in Manila. The House of Representatives’ prosecution has also called on law schools, communities, and civil society groups to organise their own watch parties.
A ride-hailing driver told me earlier today that he would stop working to tune in to today’s trial.
“I need to know what this is all about. Who is telling the truth?” he said.
● Senators debate who should preside over trial
Senators are now debating who should preside over the impeachment trial after a question raised by a Duterte ally, Alan Peter Cayetano, from the minority bloc.
Majority senators say the question should be settled by the Senate in a regular session and not while they are convened as an impeachment court.
[BBC]
