Politics in the Philippines has always been dramatic, but recent events have taken the turmoil to new heights. As the nation faces its sixth typhoon in a single month, a bitter feud between two of the country’s most powerful political families—the Marcoses and the Dutertes—unfolds, leaving citizens in shock.
A History of Power and Alliance
The current President, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country from 1965 until his ousting in 1986. Marcos Jr. secured the presidency in 2022, winning by a landslide with nearly 60% of the vote. His victory was partly due to his strategic alliance with Sara Duterte, the daughter of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022.
This alliance was seen as a masterstroke. Sara Duterte could have been a strong contender against Marcos, but by teaming up, the two families consolidated their power. However, this partnership has since unraveled.
A Vice-President’s Outburst
Sara Duterte, now vice-president, recently shocked the nation with a fiery video posted on her Facebook page. In the video, she openly criticized President Marcos, accusing him of being unfit to lead. What alarmed many was her startling statement: she admitted to instructing someone to assassinate Marcos and his close allies should anything happen to her.
Such violent rhetoric isn’t entirely surprising coming from the Duterte clan. Sara’s father, Rodrigo, has openly boasted about leading death squads during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and overseeing a brutal war on drugs as president, which left an estimated 30,000 people dead.
The Rift Widens
The cracks in the Marcos-Duterte alliance started to show in late 2023 when Sara resigned as the education minister. Her proposal to introduce military training in schools had failed, and she was reportedly frustrated at not being appointed as defense minister—a role she had coveted.
Tensions escalated further when Sara faced accusations of corruption. Congress began investigating her use of ₱612 million in “confidential funds” during her time as vice-president and education minister. When her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, refused to cooperate, she was jailed for contempt. This incident seemed to be the last straw for Sara, prompting her explosive public outburst.
Rodrigo Duterte in the Spotlight
While the feud rages, former President Rodrigo Duterte remains a central figure. He has been attending Senate hearings related to his controversial war on drugs, during which he admitted to running death squads. His confrontations with critics, including human rights advocate and former senator Leila de Lima, have drawn widespread attention. De Lima, who spent years investigating Duterte and was jailed on what she claims were politically motivated charges, was recently cleared and freed after nearly six years in detention.
Duterte has also taunted the International Criminal Court (ICC), which launched an investigation into his anti-drug campaign. Although the Marcos administration has refused to cooperate with the ICC, Duterte recently suggested he might be open to being investigated.
What Lies Ahead?
With the next presidential election set for 2028, it’s hard to see how this feud can simmer for another four years. The most likely outcome is an escalation in political conflict, which could even turn violent. Alternatively, the two clans might broker a peace deal, possibly allowing Sara Duterte to run for president unopposed. However, such a deal could further weaken the country’s fragile democracy and erode public trust.
Meanwhile, the Filipino people are left to bear the brunt of poor governance. As typhoon victims struggle to rebuild their lives and families continue to seek justice for extrajudicial killings, this political drama serves as a bitter reminder of the country’s deeper systemic issues.
