Senate coup, ICC drama rock Philippine politics amid VP impeachment
It was supposed to be a day centered on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. Instead, Monday descended into one of the most chaotic days in recent Philippine politics, with an impeachment, an alleged ICC arrest warrant, and a dramatic Senate coup unfolding almost simultaneously.
The political shockwave began in the Senate, where allies of the Duterte family moved to oust Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and install Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, a close Duterte ally, as the chamber’s new leader. The leadership takeover came just as the Senate was preparing to convene as an impeachment court for Duterte.
At the center of the upheaval was Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief and chief implementor of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war.
Dela Rosa resurfaced publicly after months out of the spotlight, reportedly to secure votes for the leadership change.
His appearance triggered further drama after reports emerged that authorities attempted to serve him an International Criminal Court arrest warrant tied to crimes against humanity allegations linked to the anti-drug campaign. The ICC later confirmed that a warrant had been issued against dela Rosa.
Amid the Senate turmoil, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Vice President Duterte for a second time over allegations that included misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his allies. Duterte has denied wrongdoing.
The events highlighted the deepening political rupture between the Marcos and Duterte camps — and raised fresh questions over whether the Senate, now under new leadership, can impartially handle the vice president’s looming impeachment trial.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
