SENATE TWIST TO SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT

High drama as senators vote to send complaint against vice-president back to the House of Representatives

- BY JAY HILOTIN | Senior Assistant Editor

Buckle up — the Philippine Senate just floored the political telenovela to full blast. On Tuesday, senators pulled a surprise twist: Instead of diving into the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte, they voted to send the complaint back to the House of Representatives.

They say the seven articles of impeachment submitted by the House might have some “constitutional infirmities” that need sorting.

This situation is unprecedented. And that’s when two senators — Robinhood Padilla and Joel Villanueva, nearly came to blows.

Given what transpired, are Philippine legislators staging an unscripted entertainment show or simply wasting taxpayers' money?

One thing is for sure: It marks a highly volatile moment in Philippine politics, even as the nation seeks for ways to move forward economically. It also reveals the deepening rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte.

It also highlights a deep divide: There’s the 316-member House of Representatives, under the leadership of Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, moving to impeach Sara Duterte, who has a shot at the presidency in 2028, and the 24-member Senate.

How events unfolded