Duterte emerges as the fresh face of opposition in the Philippines

In response to the titular question, the short answer is a resounding no. Despite recent criticisms leveled at members of Congress and even Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Duterte political dynasty remains firmly entrenched within the ruling coalition.

The Duterte dynasty, spearheaded by former President Rodrigo Duterte, continues to wield significant influence despite his ostensible retirement following the conclusion of his term in June 2022. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, occupies a prominent position within the government as both the vice president and concurrently, the secretary of the Department of Education. Additionally, his eldest son holds a congressional seat while another son serves as the mayor of Davao City, cementing the family’s stronghold in Philippine politics.

The familial alliance between the Dutertes from the southern region of Davao and the Marcoses from the northern province of Ilocos played a pivotal role in the 2022 elections, culminating in a landslide victory. The terms of this alliance stipulated that after six years, the Marcoses would throw their support behind the presidential candidacy of Duterte’s daughter.

However, cracks in this once-solid partnership began to emerge in the latter half of 2023. Sara Duterte’s resignation as the leader of her political party, citing political toxicity and execrable power plays, underscored growing tensions within the coalition. Her tenure came under scrutiny during budget deliberations, with questions raised about her utilization of confidential funds despite her agency’s lack of direct involvement in intelligence or national security matters. Revelations that she allegedly spent 125 million pesos of confidential funds in just 11 days further fueled controversy.

The House of Representatives, responding to public outcry, collectively decided to strip civilian agencies, including the Department of Education, of their confidential funds. This decision, however, drew the ire of Rodrigo Duterte, who reemerged from retirement to lambast Congress as the country’s “most rotten institution.” He specifically targeted House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a first cousin of Marcos, and challenged him to audit Congress’s funds, insinuating Romualdez’s presidential aspirations for 2028.

In November, Duterte found himself embroiled in legal trouble after being sued by an opposition lawmaker for making grave threats on his TV program. Furthermore, a government broadcasting regulator suspended Duterte’s TV program for airing profane language, sparking accusations of a crackdown on freedom of expression—a charge ironically leveled against Duterte himself during his tenure, particularly in relation to his treatment of journalists.

The Duterte family’s criticism of the Marcos government has become increasingly vocal in recent months. They have publicly denounced the charter change proposal spearheaded by Congress members, despite having endorsed charter change in the past when advocating for federalism. Rodrigo Duterte, the congressman, has alleged corruption in government project approvals, while Rodrigo Duterte, the mayor, has called for Marcos’s resignation. The elder Duterte even accused Marcos of drug addiction and urged law enforcement to protect the Constitution.

In a surprising turn, Rodrigo Duterte floated the idea of Mindanao island’s secession, citing Marcos’s alleged role in the charter change campaign—a suggestion met with widespread condemnation from Mindanao leaders and government agencies, with some officials even hinting at potential sedition charges against Duterte.

Despite the widening schism between the Dutertes and the Marcoses, their credibility as a genuine opposition force remains questionable. Activists argue that Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks on Marcos are driven by self-serving motives, primarily to advance his daughter’s presidential candidacy and evade accountability for his administration’s alleged corruption and abuses, particularly in relation to the controversial “war on drugs.”

Sara Duterte, for her part, has resisted calls to resign her Cabinet post, dismissing her brother’s calls for Marcos’s resignation as motivated by “brotherly love” amidst attacks against her. This calculated maneuvering suggests that while the Dutertes may seek greater influence, they are unwilling to sever ties with the ruling coalition.

Should the divide between the Dutertes and the Marcoses escalate irreparably, the former can be expected to mobilize their local constituents and loyal allies. However, they are unlikely to garner support from activists, human rights defenders, independent media, and opposition politicians—all of whom faced persecution under the Duterte administration.

Politics News: Duterte emerges as the fresh face of opposition in the Philippines