OPINION
Tenten Tugaff
Will The ICC Case Succeed Where Impeachment Failed?
Photo credit: ICC
The Dutertes may have survived what could have been an inevitable impeachment case against Vice President Sara, but their political woes are far from over.
For those hoping to use Sara’s impeachment as a way to diminish the former first family’s political power ahead of the 2028 elections, they may need to reconsider their approach to achieve the same result.
All indications suggest that the move to impeach Sara is effectively dead.
It faltered when Congress decided to sit on the impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President over a month ago.
The impeachment process never even gained traction because Congress, for lack of a better term, chickened out.
The situation became even more complicated when external pressures were exerted on congressmen not to support Sara’s impeachment.
Lawmakers, ever the political opportunists, who were initially at the forefront of the “Impeach Sara” movement, have started to change their stance on the issue.
Apparently, these legislators’ political survival is more important than addressing Sara Duterte’s alleged illegal acts.
They seem willing to ignore these allegations entirely in order to protect their own positions.
Even Malacañang has adopted a more conflict-averse approach in dealing with Sara’s relentless attacks and the threats she has made against President Marcos Jr., his administration, and his family.
Recent developments may have prompted the administration to reconsider its strategy and recalibrate its response to the political crisis.
While impeachment is undoubtedly a politically charged and divisive process, a more calculated response should be pursued—one that is subtle but could have a similar impact if the aim is to render the Dutertes politically irrelevant.
The looming issue remains the case faced by Sara’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
If reports are accurate and an arrest warrant is issued against Duterte by the ICC, with the Philippine government potentially cooperating in executing the order, the political consequences for the Duterte family could be substantial.
This could shake the family’s political influence, especially as Sara remains a frontrunner for the 2028 presidency, according to recent polling.
Despite this, Sara has openly stated that she is seriously considering a presidential run in 2028.
However, her political standing has already been affected by the impeachment cases filed against her, along with the evidence and testimonies revealed in congressional hearings, which suggest the possible misuse of public funds amounting to hundreds of millions.
The looming ICC case against her father could prove to be a political disaster for Sara, potentially overshadowing her 2028 aspirations and further jeopardizing the Duterte family’s already diminishing political capital.
On the other hand, if impeachment of the vice president is already a foregone conclusion, legal cases should still be filed against her in proper courts to hold her accountable for the charges leveled against her.
If pursued, these legal proceedings will also give Sara the opportunity to face her accusers in court and mount a defense.
Meanwhile, the ICC case against her father would also provide him with an avenue to address the charges of crimes against humanity that are likely to be brought against him.
As lawyers, both Sara and her father are in a better position to navigate the legal complexities and present a strong defense.
Ultimately, more than the political aspects at play, serious accusations have been made—and it is only just and logical to confront them head-on.
For those hoping to use Sara’s impeachment as a way to diminish the former first family’s political power ahead of the 2028 elections, they may need to reconsider their approach to achieve the same result.
All indications suggest that the move to impeach Sara is effectively dead.
It faltered when Congress decided to sit on the impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President over a month ago.
The impeachment process never even gained traction because Congress, for lack of a better term, chickened out.
The situation became even more complicated when external pressures were exerted on congressmen not to support Sara’s impeachment.
Lawmakers, ever the political opportunists, who were initially at the forefront of the “Impeach Sara” movement, have started to change their stance on the issue.
Apparently, these legislators’ political survival is more important than addressing Sara Duterte’s alleged illegal acts.
They seem willing to ignore these allegations entirely in order to protect their own positions.
Even Malacañang has adopted a more conflict-averse approach in dealing with Sara’s relentless attacks and the threats she has made against President Marcos Jr., his administration, and his family.
Recent developments may have prompted the administration to reconsider its strategy and recalibrate its response to the political crisis.
While impeachment is undoubtedly a politically charged and divisive process, a more calculated response should be pursued—one that is subtle but could have a similar impact if the aim is to render the Dutertes politically irrelevant.
The looming issue remains the case faced by Sara’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
If reports are accurate and an arrest warrant is issued against Duterte by the ICC, with the Philippine government potentially cooperating in executing the order, the political consequences for the Duterte family could be substantial.
This could shake the family’s political influence, especially as Sara remains a frontrunner for the 2028 presidency, according to recent polling.
Despite this, Sara has openly stated that she is seriously considering a presidential run in 2028.
However, her political standing has already been affected by the impeachment cases filed against her, along with the evidence and testimonies revealed in congressional hearings, which suggest the possible misuse of public funds amounting to hundreds of millions.
The looming ICC case against her father could prove to be a political disaster for Sara, potentially overshadowing her 2028 aspirations and further jeopardizing the Duterte family’s already diminishing political capital.
On the other hand, if impeachment of the vice president is already a foregone conclusion, legal cases should still be filed against her in proper courts to hold her accountable for the charges leveled against her.
If pursued, these legal proceedings will also give Sara the opportunity to face her accusers in court and mount a defense.
Meanwhile, the ICC case against her father would also provide him with an avenue to address the charges of crimes against humanity that are likely to be brought against him.
As lawyers, both Sara and her father are in a better position to navigate the legal complexities and present a strong defense.
Ultimately, more than the political aspects at play, serious accusations have been made—and it is only just and logical to confront them head-on.
Roseten Tugaff
Roseten “Tenten” Tugaff is an experienced journalist with a rich background in reporting. He began his career in the mid-’90s, working with the now-defunct Manila Chronicle and The Manila Times shortly after graduating from college. Throughout his career, he has also held various roles in government. Currently, he is a freelance media relations practitioner and hosts his own online political podcast.
Jan 30, 2025
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