Sara Duterte: Supreme Court Triumph and What It Means for Her Future

It felt like a political earthquake. Sara Duterte—vice president of the Philippines—just had an impeachment bid tossed out by the Supreme Court on a technicality.

Introduction

Ever watched power shift in front of your eyes? That’s Sara Duterte’s story this week. The Supreme Court voided her impeachment complaint, triggering shockwaves across Manila’s political scene. With her trust ratings dipping and critics crying foul, what’s really at play—and where does she go from here?

Background

Sara Duterte‑Carpio shot to national prominence riding her family legacy. Daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, she was first elected vice president in 2022 on a platform of unity with President Marcos Jr. But fast‑burn rivalry replaced old alliances soon after.

In February 2025, the House impeached her over allegations including corruption, threats against Marcos and other officials, and misuse of funds—charges she has denied :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

What’s Happening Now? (keyword: Sara Duterte)

On **July 25, 2025**, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled the impeachment complaint unconstitutional—citing the “one‑year bar rule” that prohibits multiple impeachment attempts within a year. Since four complaints had been filed, only one validly reached the Senate. The rest were voided before trial could begin :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

The ruling is immediate and blocks any new impeachment efforts until at least early 2026 :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

Survey Shockwaves

The same week, the latest **OCTA Research survey** showed President Marcos’s approval increasing to **64% trust, 62% performance**, while Sara Duterte’s dipped to **54% trust, 50% performance**—both down roughly 4–6 points from the previous quarter :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

Reactions & Meaning

Supporters celebrated. Duterte’s legal team hailed it as a win for rule‑of‑law. Opponents decried judicial overreach, warning it sets a dangerous precedent shielding officials from accountability—especially given that 12 of 15 justices were Duterte appointees :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

Inside the Senate, 19‑20 senators say they will abide by the ruling—but some minority lawmakers, like Senator Hontiveros, vow they’ll still push for trial debates and oppose any motion to dismiss the case :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

Meanwhile, legal scholars at UP College of Law warn the decision may erode accountability and due process :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

What Comes Next?

• **No new impeachment filings** until at least **February 2026**, due to the constitutional one‑year bar :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Some senators are drafting resolutions outlining how the Senate should proceed—and may try to move forward despite SC rulings :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Duterte remains one of the leading figures for the **2028 presidential election**, something she has publicly said she’s “seriously considering” pursuing † :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

Conclusion

Sara Duterte just danced off one political minefield—but the ground is still shaking. Her ratings slide, public criticism, and doubts over justice fairness paint a mixed picture. Yet legally, she’s more secure than ever—at least for now.

As she contemplates higher office and critics prepare their counters, the real question lingers: can she turn legal relief into earned public trust? Time—and voters—will tell.

About our Philippines desk | Source: AP News