MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Manila on Friday, calling on the House of Representatives to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte over allegations of misconduct and misuse of government funds.
Duterte is facing three impeachment complaints, but lawmakers have yet to deliberate on them, with Congress set to adjourn next week ahead of the May midterm elections.
The 46-year-old vice president, who is politically estranged from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but remains his constitutional successor, has denied all accusations against her.
Marcos, meanwhile, urged Congress to dismiss the impeachment efforts, describing them as a mere distraction from legislative priorities.
Protesters in white shirts, protesters carried placards demanding Duterte’s removal and chanted, “Impeach! Impeach Sara now!” along one of Manila’s busiest streets.
Police estimated the crowd at around 4,000, while 7,400 officers were deployed to maintain order.
The demonstration followed a significantly larger rally on January 13, organized by a conservative religious group opposing Duterte’s impeachment.
House Representative Percival Cendana, a supporter of one of the impeachment complaints, joined the protest and urged lawmakers to act swiftly. “Every day of inaction condones impunity, abuse of power, and harassment by Duterte against our nation’s leaders,” he told reporters.
For impeachment proceedings to move forward, at least one-third of House members must endorse the complaint.
If passed, the case would then require a two-thirds vote in the Senate for Duterte’s removal from office.
“The Filipino people are here, ready to stand for truth and justice. Let’s not fail them,” Cendana emphasized.