Perhaps it was inevitable that two such powerful families would still become rivals in the whirlpool of Philippine politics about individuals, extended families, and regions.
Political loyalties are fluid. Senators and Representatives constantly change their party allegiances. Power is inevitably concentrated in the president, who has the authority to distribute government funds. Former presidents are regularly investigated for corruption or abuse of power after leaving office.
President Marcos wants to restore his family’s reputation after his father was ousted in a popular uprising in 1986 and will want to influence the choice of his successor in 2028. The Dutertes have dynastic ambitions of their own.
Currently, Sara Duterte is still serving as Vice President. She could be removed through Senate impeachment, but that would be a risky move for President Marcos. She enjoys strong popular support in the South and among millions of overseas Filipino workers, and it may be difficult to garner enough support in the Senate for impeachment.
The midterm elections are scheduled for May next year, and half of the entire House of Representatives and 24 Senate seats will be contested. This will be seen as a test of the strength of each rival faction.
Duterte’s explosive breakup with the president is an opportunity for her to support her candidacy and present herself as an alternative to a government that has become unpopular due to poor economic performance. This could give her a better starting point for the 2028 presidential election than remaining tied to the Marcos administration.
But after hearing her inflammatory comments over the past few weeks, Filipinos may be wondering what she will say next.
