Duterte’s Allies Take Senate Control Ahead of Impeachment Trial

Allies of Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte took control of the Senate on Monday, potentially giving them sway over her upcoming impeachment trial and heightening political uncertainty in the country.

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Monday to impeach the vice president for a second time. Shortly before that, Duterte-aligned senators installed Alan Peter Cayetano to head the Senate in a surprise move, sending a strong signal that the trial at the Senate could be stalled or lead to an acquittal.