Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming resigned on Nov. 12 amid questions surrounding his educational qualifications and an impeachment initiative supported by 120 lawmakers.
Gibran, 39, the son of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left office following court rulings that cast doubt on whether his educational credentials met the legal qualifications for holding national office.
On Nov. 11, 120 lawmakers from eight political factions in Indonesia filed a petition that could have set an impeachment process in motion. However, Gibran stepped down before the matter could proceed to a full parliamentary hearing, saying he wanted to avoid prolonging the political controversy.
Indonesian presidential and vice presidential candidates are required by law to submit a copy of their senior high school diploma or an equivalent certificate.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial centered on allegations of unexplained wealth. The defense team intends to call at least eight additional witnesses to testify in the impeachment trial, with the defense working to “speed things up” in presenting evidence.
Duterte’s impeachment trial has become one of the biggest political stories in the Philippines, with the Senate now hearing the case. One major question surrounding the proceedings is the required vote for conviction: at least two-thirds of all senators must concur. However, senator-judges voted to change the interpretation of the requirement to two-thirds of the senators present.
Legal experts are divided on whether the Senate impeachment court can or should proceed with the case if Duterte resigns while the trial is underway. Some argue that the decision ultimately rests with the impeachment court, which must determine whether it still has jurisdiction to hear the case and decide on Duterte’s disqualification from public office.
