Philippine Senate trial to determine the political future of Vice President Duterte.

MANILA, July 6 — The Philippine Senate is set to begin Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial today, a high-stakes process that could decide her political future and derail a possible 2028 presidential bid.

Heavy police presence has been deployed around the Senate in Manila ahead of proceedings that may stretch for months if prosecutors are granted 62 days to present their case.

Duterte, 48, was impeached by the House of Representatives on May 11 over allegations including graft, corruption, bribery, misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos.

She has denied wrongdoing, and her camp has not confirmed whether she will appear in person at the trial.

A conviction requires a two-thirds majority in the 24-member Senate, which would remove her from office and permanently bar her from holding public position.

A recent survey in May showed Duterte leading the 2028 presidential race with 51 per cent support.

The trial comes amid intense political tension between the Marcos and Duterte camps, with analysts noting deep divisions in the Senate and a “difficult pathway” to conviction.

Despite mounting allegations and political turmoil, observers say the numbers for a conviction remain uncertain, even under more flexible interpretations of the voting threshold. — AFP