The Philippines' parliament has voted to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte over allegations of corruption. Duterte has refuted the accusations, claiming she is a target of political retribution.
This move is widely viewed as an escalation of Duterte's ongoing conflict with Marcos, causing tension in the nation for months.
With 215 out of 306 House of Representatives members supporting impeachment, well exceeding the necessary one-third threshold, the bill advances to the Senate, where a 24-member panel will act as an impeachment court.
If found culpable, Duterte would be ousted from her position, marking the first impeachment of a vice-president in Philippine history, leading to a permanent prohibition on holding public office.
Pending the Senate's verdict, Duterte is expected to continue in her role. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
While her future intentions remain undisclosed, Duterte, the offspring of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is widely considered a potential future contender to Marcos, who is ineligible for re-election in 2028.
Initially rivals for the presidency in the 2022 elections, Duterte, who was slightly ahead of Marcos in polls, decided to unite as his running mate, securing an overwhelming victory, as analysts noted.
Their partnership deteriorated as they pursued diverging political agendas, especially in the realm of diplomacy. Noteworthy, Marcos shifted the Philippines' foreign policy orientation towards the US, diverging from Duterte's father's pro-China stance.
This developing news will be continuously updated with additional information soon.