Calm before the storm: VP Sara avoids spotlight

After returning home from The Hague, Netherlands, Vice President Sara Duterte spent Monday out of the spotlight.

According to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday at 9:56 p.m. She is expected to address important matters in the coming days but for now will be keeping a low profile.

The VP helped her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, form his legal defense team at the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he is detained on a charge of crimes against humanity.

But Sara isn’t just facing the fallout from her father’s legal troubles, she’s also dealing with her own political crisis.

Recently impeached by the House of Representatives, the Vice President is facing charges over the controversial release of confidential funds of her office and the Department of Education (DepEd) when she was its head.

Her impeachment trial set to begin in June in the Senate has polarized the country.

Her supporters see the charges as politically motivated, while her critics contend the public deserves answers on how taxpayer money was spent.

As the trial approaches, the debate over her actions will only intensify, and the issue is expected to dominate the political discourse in the coming months.

The political storm comes amid her father’s ongoing legal battle at the ICC.

His detention in The Hague has further deepened divisions in the Philippines, with many still loyal to him, particularly over his war on drugs, while others demand accountability for the alleged human rights abuses that occurred during his administration.

Rallies for and against him have been held across the country and around the world, with Duterte supporters calling for his release.

Seven articles of impeachment

Meanwhile, the Vice President faces seven articles of impeachment, including for the alleged illegal use of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the OVP and the DepEd.

The impeachment complaint that was filed on 5 February included allegations of high crimes, notably an alleged plot to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated should she be killed first.

In addition, she is accused of bribery, graft, and corruption related to the misuse of confidential funds allocated to her office and the DepEd in 2022 and 2023.

She has denied all the charges, calling them part of a “coordinated political attack” aimed at undermining her credibility and to prevent her from running in future political contests, particularly the presidency in 2028.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who will preside over the trial, said the rules on impeachment allow the Vice President to answer the allegations either personally or through her lawyer during the arraignment.

“If her presence is needed to have the witnesses identify her, that would be the only time we will require her attendance,” Escudero said.

He said Duterte has the right to waive her appearance if she chooses.