Philippine Senate weighs challenge to votes in Sara Duterte trial
Sara Duterte faces a growing risk of conviction and a lifetime ban from politics in her impeachment trial, as allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr consider challenging votes cast by absent senators. The 24-member Senate is expected to debate whether those votes should count, while two Duterte-aligned senators have been arrested.
The political conflict between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte is intensifying as her impeachment trial proceeds in the Senate. Duterte, who has been impeached, faces an increasing risk of conviction and a lifetime ban on holding political office, according to the South China Morning Post. Allies of Marcos are considering whether to invalidate key votes supporting Duterte.
The 24-member Senate is expected to debate on Wednesday whether votes cast by several absent senators should be counted. The supplied report says two Duterte-aligned senators, Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, have been arrested. It does not provide details of the allegations behind those arrests or explain how they may affect the trial.
The Senate’s decision on the disputed votes could influence the balance of support in the proceedings. The available material does not state when a final verdict is expected or how Duterte’s camp has responded to the challenge.
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