EXPLAINER: IMPEACHMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES: A QUEST FOR JUSTICE OR A GAME OF THRONES?

'Impeachment’ might sound like a technical, far-off term, but it’s really about one thing: accountability. It’s how our government holds its top officials responsible for serious wrongdoing like abuse of power or corruption. Right now, Vice President Sara Duterte is in the spotlight. Lawmakers accuse her of mismanaging confidential funds.

Here’s the crux of the issue: In just 11 days, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent P73.28 million of the P125 million in confidential funds in December 2022. Critics argue there’s little to no documentation to justify such spending, raising eyebrows about how public money is being handled.

But is this truly about seeking justice, or is it a political game? The Duterte and Marcos families are no strangers to power struggles, and some suggest this impeachment effort might be less about truth and more about rebalancing influence between these two political dynasties.

Still, this debate isn’t just about political elites. It’s about us, the citizens, and how our hard-earned taxes are used. Imagine your family scrimping to pay for food and rising bills, only to hear that millions in public funds might have been misspent. That’s not just frustrating; it’s infuriating.

This case also raises a bigger question: Is the system really working for ordinary Filipinos, or does it only swing into action when it’s convenient for the powerful? Justice delayed — like in issues such as extrajudicial killings — can feel like justice denied.

What exactly would happen if the Vice President of the Philippines was impeached? How would the process unfold, and who would step into the position if the impeachment succeeds?

How Impeachment Works in the Philippines if you’re wondering how this process plays out, here’s a simple breakdown:

Who can be impeached?

Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, impeachment is a legal process to remove certain high-ranking officials for committing serious offenses. Article XI, Section 2 of the Constitution specifically lists the following officials as subject to impeachment:

• The President
• The Vice President
• Members of the Supreme Court
• Members of Constitutional Commissions (such as the Commission on Elections
• The Ombudsman

These officials can only be removed through impeachment if they commit certain grave offenses, including:

Serious violation of the Constitution: Acts that significantly breach or disregard the nation’s fundamental laws.

Treason: Acts of betrayal against the country, such as aiding an enemy during wartime.

Bribery: Offering or accepting something valuable to influence a public official’s actions.

Corruption: Using one’s position in government to gain personal benefits unlawfully.

High crimes: Major criminal acts that pose a significant threat to the nation or its government.

Betrayal of public trust: Broad misconduct that undermines the integrity and credibility of public office.

The process for impeaching a Vice President, as detailed in Section 3, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, involves several stages. It starts with filing a formal complaint and concludes with a trial conducted by the Senate.

Filing the Complaint: An impeachment complaint can be initiated by any member of the House of Representatives or by a citizen with a House member’s endorsement. The complaint must specify the reasons for impeachment.

Review by the House Justice Committee: The committee decides if there’s enough evidence to back the complaint. If yes, the case moves to a full vote in the House.

House Vote: At least one-third of all House members must agree for the case to proceed. If they vote yes, the official is officially impeached, and the trial shifts to the Senate.

Senate Trial: The Senate acts like a court, with senators deciding the case. A two-thirds majority vote (16 out of 24 senators) is needed to convict and remove the official.

If convicted, the Vice President would lose their post and could be barred from holding public office again.

Who Fills the Vice President’s Shoes? If the Vice President is impeached and removed from office, the President has the power to nominate a replacement. But, this isn’t automatic. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must approve the President’s choice.

Section 9 of Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the President can select a new Vice President from among the members of the Senate and the House. This nominee must then be confirmed through a majority vote in both legislative chambers, with each body voting separately.

What Does This Mean for Us?

This isn’t just a story about Vice President Sara Duterte. It’s a wake-up call about how the government uses its power — and our money. It’s about ensuring our leaders are accountable, not just when it’s politically convenient, but all the time.

As citizens, we must ask: Are we doing enough to demand transparency and accountability? Why do political dynasties dominate our system, often at our expense? And most importantly, how can we ensure justice works for everyone — not just the powerful?

Impeachment isn’t just about punishing one person. It’s a reflection of our democracy. Are we holding all leaders accountable, or just using these tools as weapons in political wars?

The question is: Will we settle for the same old political games, or will we push for real change?