Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte swiftly responded after the Supreme Court ruled her impeachment unconstitutional, stating that "the people of the Philippines deserve better leaders" and vowed to fight against "those who are greedy and selfish, who only drag the country down," sparking concerns about escalating political tensions.
In July, all 13 justices of the Supreme Court unanimously deemed the impeachment by the House of Representatives as unconstitutional, as a previous impeachment had been filed within a year, thereby depriving Sara of her right to due process, thus rendering this impeachment invalid.
In her victory statement, Sara thanked her legal team, petitioners, and supporters, stating that it was their courage and faith that allowed her to persevere. She did not shy away from the political implications, using strong language that highlighted the increasing public divisions with the ruling camp.
Although the court acknowledged flaws in the procedure, it also emphasized that this does not absolve Sara of all allegations, with the earliest possibility for a new impeachment set for February 2026. The House of Representatives announced plans to seek a review, claiming the decision was based on incorrect grounds; the Senate also plans to convene on August 6 to discuss the matter.
This turmoil is widely seen as a microcosm of the political struggle between the Marcos administration and the Duterte faction, potentially leading to more intense power struggles in Philippine politics.
