The Philippine Senate: Impeaching the culture of impunity

PHILIPPINES - In Brief 15 May 2026 by Diwa Guinigundo

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Last May 11, the Philippines’ House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte on allegations involving misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, SALN discrepancies, corruption, and threats against top government officials. The Articles of Impeachment were formally transmitted to the Senate of the Philippines two days later. The Senate now faces a dilemma captured by Rolf Dobelli in The Art of Thinking Clearly: Which is worse — causing harm directly or allowing harm through inaction?* That question now confronts the Senate. Under the 1987 Constitution, the Senate has the sole power to try impeachment cases. The issue before it is not whether the Vice President is already guilty, but whether the constitutional process will be allowed to proceed. That distinction matters. An impeachment trial is not a conviction. It is a public process where evidence is tested and the accused is given full opportunity to defend herself. If the Vice President successfully disproves the accusations, she could emerge politically stronger ahead of the May 2028 presidential elections. In Philippine politics, narratives of persecution often generate sympathy and political momentum. A public acquittal after nationally televised hearings could even strengthen her national standing. But the opposite outcome is equally possible. If the evidence proves credible and damaging, the impeachment proceedings could weaken the Duterte political brand before 2028. Every hearing would place issues of accountability, misuse of public funds, and abuse of office under sustained public scrutiny. In Philippine elections, perception matters as much as political machinery...