Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said she has no plans to resign yet despite the impeachment announced by the lower house of parliament.
Speaking to reporters, Duterte said they are still reading the impeachment motion and her lawyers are working on it, the Inquirer reported.
“We’re not yet there. That’s still too far ahead,” Duterte said.
Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was impeached after more than two-thirds of MPs signed a petition in favour of her removal from power.
Following the vote, the impeachment petition was referred to the Senate for trial, which could result in Duterte being banned from holding public office.
The political situation in the Philippines escalated after Marcos and Duterte won the 2022 elections in tandem. But relations between the two subsequently deteriorated sharply due to political differences. Duterte was originally the one who wanted to lead the country, succeeding her father Rodrigo, but she still had to give way to Marcos, who is also the heir of the country’s other president, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Last year, Sara sharply stepped up her criticism against her former ally, accusing him of corruption. Moreover, Duterte promised to organise the assassination of the president. Marcos, using parliamentarians who support him, is trying to organise the prosecution of Duterte. She is accused of mismanaging more than $10 million.
An essential issue in the internal Philippine controversies is the issue of relations with China and the US. Marcos is a supporter of the pro-American line, during his presidency he contributed in every possible way to strengthening relations with Washington. Cases of clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waters of the South China Sea have become more frequent. Duterte, on the other hand, has taken a more balanced stance.
