Vice President Sara Duterte has firmly stated that she will not resign from her position amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against her. "I will not resign. I will never resign from the Office of the Vice President," she declared during an interview on
Impeachment Trial Context
Duterte is currently facing an impeachment trial fueled by serious allegations, including claims of accepting millions of pesos in kickbacks and links to a company purportedly involved in business dealings with Chinese state-owned firms. These allegations, coupled with the
The Vice President and I have never talked about resignation. So, I don’t think we even have to discuss that issue.
Michael Poa, Defense Spokesperson
Legal experts suggest that resigning may not be a viable option for Duterte, as House prosecutors have indicated that a resignation would not halt the trial. They maintain that the impeachment process must conclude regardless of her departure from office.
Recent changes in the impeachment trial's rules are reportedly not in Duterte's favor. The Senate court requires a two-thirds majority of active senator-judges for conviction, which now stands at 14 votes out of 20. This revised threshold raises the stakes for Duterte, especially after the prosecution's decision to drop several charges, citing sufficient evidence on the remaining charge of unexplained wealth.
Political Implications
Despite these challenges, Duterte remains a leading candidate for the presidency, with a recent Pulse Asia survey showing her with a 50% voter preference. However, a conviction could severely jeopardize her political future.
Duterte reflected on her ambitions, stating, "Whether or not I become the next president of our country remains to be seen. And perhaps my purpose has always been bigger than the position itself."