Philippine Vice President Duterte questions impeachment trial under new Congress

A woman walks past a mural calling for the conviction of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Metro Manila on June 3, 2025. Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in February for "high crimes" including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against former ally and running mate President Ferdinand Marcos. - AFP

THE HAGUE: Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has questioned whether her impeachment trial on charges that include a suspected plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can go forward when a new set of lawmakers takes office next month.

Duterte said in a video of a doorstep interview Tuesday (June 3) that procedural issues may arise for her trial in the Senate due to the current body adjourning next week. If the trial does go ahead in July, Duterte would face public scrutiny over her actions related to the impeachment charges, although her allies’ strong performance in a May midterm election has bolstered her chances of acquittal.