Vice President Sara Duterte predicted late last year that her political career would end if impeachment proceedings commenced. With the articles of impeachment now in the hands of the Senate, under the leadership of President Chiz Escudero, Ms. Duterte’s prophecy is on the verge of becoming reality.

Let no Filipino be misled—her downfall is entirely of her own making. Consumed by arrogance and delusions of unshakable mass appeal, Ms. Duterte, along with her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and her brothers, Congressman Paolo Duterte and Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, attempted to strong-arm their way back into political dominance. They recklessly attacked their former ally, President Bongbong Marcos, belittling his leadership and accusing him of mismanaging foreign relations with China while insinuating that his administration was plagued by incompetence and corruption.

Their actions, however, were neither surprising nor unprecedented. The Dutertes have behaved exactly as any political dynasty clinging to lost power would—desperately attempting to retain influence even as their grip weakens. They falsely assumed they could continue wielding authority behind the scenes, believing that their past control over the bureaucracy would ensure their continued relevance.

But reality has struck hard. First, the lucrative government deals they secured while in power unraveled, leaving their business allies empty-handed. Second, once entrenched in cushy government positions, their closest associates were systematically removed, severing their access to state resources. In a calculated move, the Marcos administration dismantled the Duterte political syndicate, cutting off their financial pipelines and banning their key figures from engaging in government transactions.

With their economic stronghold weakened, the administration then turned its focus to the tycoons who had profited immensely from the Duterte presidency. Some chose to align with the Marcos camp, while others—particularly those with deep business interests in Mindanao—found themselves collateral damage in the factional struggle.

Even their once-mighty political base has suffered devastating losses. Key Duterte loyalists have been pushed to the political margins, from Congress to local government units. While a few remnants of their support network remain, they, too, stand on shaky ground as the 2025 elections approach. With Sara Duterte’s impeachment becoming a central electoral issue, the nation is witnessing a clear ideological shift, with the majority of Filipinos favoring her removal.

As one seasoned general aptly put it, the current situation is merely a “mopping-up operation” against the Dutertes. The final blow will come when they lose their own stronghold—when the patriarch, Rodrigo Duterte, is forced to concede power to his longtime rivals, the Nograles family, another political dynasty. (And even if they succeed against the Nograles come May, the Dutertes have been capooned enough that they will think of their win as a pyrrhic victory rather than a rejoicing one. )

But let there be no mistake—Sara Duterte’s impeachment is not the ultimate reckoning for the Duterte dynasty. It is merely the opening salvo in a series of political and legal misfortunes awaiting them. The tide has turned, and their once unchallenged dominance is now unraveling before the nation’s eyes.