Supreme Court Blocks Impeachment Against Philippine VP

The Philippine Supreme Court has halted an impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte. The lower house of parliament had initiated impeachment proceedings based on accusations of misusing public funds and threatening President Marcos Jr. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment vote violated a constitutional provision limiting impeachment proceedings to once per year. While this ruling shields Duterte from removal until February 2026, the court clarified it does not dismiss the underlying charges. This decision provides a significant political advantage for Duterte, potentially aiding her in preparing for a presidential bid in the lead-up to the 2028 elections, as a successful impeachment would have barred her from running.