In the Philippines, the dust has barely settled after the midterm elections, but the political battleground is heating up as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte engage in a bitter feud. Despite their earlier collaboration that led to a sweeping victory in the 2022 elections, the two powerful families are now in a fierce contest for dominance.
The election results were not favorable for the Marcos camp. Traditionally, sitting presidents see most of their chosen candidates secure seats in the Senate during the midterms. However, only six of the twelve winning senators belong to the Marcos alliance, and notably, one—Camille Villar—has affiliations with Duterte, signaling shifting loyalties. The electoral outcome diminishes President Marcos’s authority and raises questions about his plans to impeach Vice-President Duterte, whose ambitions to succeed him remain intact.
Tensions have been brewing since the start of the Marcos administration, culminating this year with their alliance unravelling completely. The impeachment proceedings initiated against Duterte marked a significant turning point, especially following the president's controversial decision to extradite her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to face international criminal charges. This escalated hostilities have positioned Sara Duterte as a formidable adversary, now the leading candidate for the next presidential election.
In a nation where political power often resides within influential families, the Marcoses have held sway for nearly a century, while the Dutertes have dominated Davao for generations. Amidst their ongoing rivalry, both camps grapple to maintain control over their loyal senator allies, whose ambitions for future positions may lead them to stray from party loyalty.
Recent public sentiment indicates waning support for the Marcos administration, fueled by economic struggles and unflattering comparisons of his leadership style. Meanwhile, the president's declining approval ratings combine with Duterte's passionate public engagements to heighten the stakes in this political game. As senators prepare for the impending impeachment trial, scheduled to commence in July, maneuvering behind the scenes will be essential for both camps in their quest for political supremacy.
The landscape is unpredictable. While no president or vice president in the Philippines has ever been successfully impeached, the current standoff indicates these two political families have reached a pivotal juncture that will define the political narrative for years to come.
The election results were not favorable for the Marcos camp. Traditionally, sitting presidents see most of their chosen candidates secure seats in the Senate during the midterms. However, only six of the twelve winning senators belong to the Marcos alliance, and notably, one—Camille Villar—has affiliations with Duterte, signaling shifting loyalties. The electoral outcome diminishes President Marcos’s authority and raises questions about his plans to impeach Vice-President Duterte, whose ambitions to succeed him remain intact.
Tensions have been brewing since the start of the Marcos administration, culminating this year with their alliance unravelling completely. The impeachment proceedings initiated against Duterte marked a significant turning point, especially following the president's controversial decision to extradite her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to face international criminal charges. This escalated hostilities have positioned Sara Duterte as a formidable adversary, now the leading candidate for the next presidential election.
In a nation where political power often resides within influential families, the Marcoses have held sway for nearly a century, while the Dutertes have dominated Davao for generations. Amidst their ongoing rivalry, both camps grapple to maintain control over their loyal senator allies, whose ambitions for future positions may lead them to stray from party loyalty.
Recent public sentiment indicates waning support for the Marcos administration, fueled by economic struggles and unflattering comparisons of his leadership style. Meanwhile, the president's declining approval ratings combine with Duterte's passionate public engagements to heighten the stakes in this political game. As senators prepare for the impending impeachment trial, scheduled to commence in July, maneuvering behind the scenes will be essential for both camps in their quest for political supremacy.
The landscape is unpredictable. While no president or vice president in the Philippines has ever been successfully impeached, the current standoff indicates these two political families have reached a pivotal juncture that will define the political narrative for years to come.
