The recent move by the House of Representatives to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte has raised more questions than answers, particularly given its timing and the circumstances surrounding its proponents.

With 215 lawmakers signing the impeachment complaint, led by presidential son and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the entire debacle appears less about governance and accountability and more about political maneuvering ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

Critics argue that the impeachment bid is mistimed, given that the Senate is about to go on recess and the nation is on the cusp of election season. Even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself, whose allies in the House pushed for the impeachment, previously downplayed its urgency, calling it a distraction from more pressing national concerns.

If the President sees it as unimportant, why then did Sandro Marcos lead the charge? Is this an indication of internal discord within the administration? Is this an attempt to neutralize Sara Duterte before the next electoral cycle, where she could pose a serious threat to the ruling party’s grip on power?

Moreover, the Senate’s upcoming recess means that even if the impeachment process moves forward in the House, it would likely stagnate before reaching the Senate trial stage.

This makes the timing suspect — if the goal were true accountability, wouldn’t it make more sense to launch the process when both chambers of Congress are in full session and able to focus on the matter properly?

One of the most alarming accusations surrounding this impeachment push is the claim that the 215 lawmakers who signed off on the complaint were each given staggering sums in alleged under-the-table transactions. While there is no concrete evidence to substantiate this claim, the sheer size of the rumored payoff raises red flags. If true, this would be one of the largest instances of political bribery in Philippine history, and it calls into question the motivations of the impeachment proponents.

The House leadership has vehemently denied the allegations, but in a political climate where backroom deals and transactional politics are the norm, public skepticism remains high. Many Filipinos remember the infamous “pork barrel” scandals, where lawmakers were accused of siphoning public funds in exchange for political favors. With such a precedent, it is not surprising that many believe money played a role in this latest political drama.

If Sara Duterte is indeed impeached or politically weakened, who stands to gain? The obvious answer would be the ruling Marcos camp. Although Marcos and Duterte were once perceived as allies, cracks in their political alliance became evident after Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet and began positioning herself as a critical voice against the administration.

By moving against her now, the Marcos faction may be attempting to remove a potential contender for the presidency in 2028.

Additionally, with the 2025 midterm elections fast approaching, controlling the narrative and consolidating power are top priorities for those in power. The impeachment move could serve as a warning to Duterte’s allies to either fall in line or face similar political persecution.

At its core, this impeachment bid appears to be more about political survival than genuine accountability. The questionable timing, the alleged financial incentives, and the shifting alliances all point to an orchestrated effort to weaken Sara Duterte’s political standing.

Whether or not this move succeeds in the long run, one thing is certain: Philippine politics remains as turbulent and transactional as ever. And in this game of power, it is often the public who are left to suffer the consequences of political bickering over real governance.