Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte Impeached.

Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte has been impeached by the country’s lower house of Congress, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing political rivalry between her family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a decisive vote on Wednesday, 215 out of 306 lawmakers supported Duterte’s impeachment, citing allegations of misusing public funds and making threats against the president. The move intensifies tensions between two of the nation’s most powerful political dynasties.

Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has denied the charges, dismissing them as politically motivated. Her impeachment follows months of growing discord between her and Marcos Jr., despite the two having run on a joint ticket and securing a landslide victory in the 2022 elections. Their relationship soured over key policy differences, including foreign relations.

While Marcos Jr. has worked to strengthen ties with the United States, reversing his predecessor’s pivot toward China, Duterte has remained aligned with her father’s pro-Beijing stance. This rift has been a focal point in the political landscape, leading to speculation that the impeachment is part of a broader power struggle ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

Duterte’s case will now move to the Philippine Senate, where a two-thirds majority vote is required to convict her. If found guilty, she will be barred from holding public office, effectively ending any prospects of a 2028 presidential bid.

Although the vice president has yet to issue a statement on her impeachment, her brother, Congressman Paolo Duterte, has publicly condemned the decision, calling it an orchestrated attack against their family.

With the nation deeply divided, the impeachment trial is expected to shape the political landscape of the Philippines for years to come.