What’s Going On Between the Philippines President and Vice President?

Philippine politics is a shame for democracy, dominated by powerful political dynasties. Politicians manipulate elections to maintain patronage networks, while clientelism and electoral fraud are deeply embedded in the system, allowing corruption to thrive. Weak state institutions struggle to uphold their credibility. Though it is interesting to watch, like a drama—particularly action dramas—these dynasties love to fight each other, and often these feuds reach toxic levels. In the latest episode of the Philippines’ political drama, the president and vice president, elected from different political dynasties, have sparked a new wave of conflict, including death threats. Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, publicly declared on Saturday that she would have someone assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Bongbong Marcos), son of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Duterte revealed that she had contacted an assassin and ordered him to kill Marcos, his wife, and the speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives if enemies were to murder her. She believes the president’s team is trying to kill her. She made it clear that her words were serious. Duterte also threatened to exhume the remains of Marcos Sr., her political rival’s father, and throw them into the sea. Too cold!

The very next day, Duterte denied making an assassination threat and clarified that any killing would depend on her dying first. Duterte further claimed that merely discussing the possibility of such an act was not actionable. However, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared on Monday that he would not take troubling threats against him lightly. Marcos’s office labeled Duterte-Carpio’s remarks as an active threat and said the executive secretary had referred the incident to the Presidential Security Command for immediate action.

Although the vice president later retracted her comments, the fallout fueled discussions about her potential impeachment. And The Department of Justice noted that, unlike the president, Duterte was not immune from suit and might face charges of grave threats and sedition, as well as disbarment from her law profession. And it’s quite possible in revenge politics. 

During the 2022 presidential election, the relationship between the president and vice president, as well as their two political families, was strong. However, it has since deteriorated. The two families clash over foreign policy, former president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, and other issues. Sara Duterte resigned from the cabinet in June while remaining vice president, signaling the collapse of a powerful political alliance. In the fallout, Speaker Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, slashed the vice-presidential office’s budget by nearly two-thirds. Angered, Duterte accused Marcos of incompetence and even claimed she had imagined cutting off the president’s head. She also called for the country to descend into hell under a lying president.

Even though the threat is most likely politically motivated, the Southeast Asian nation is notorious for political violence, killings, and other criminal activities. Some consider Sara Duterte’s claim and threat to be possible, but many believe she is simply laying the groundwork for the upcoming elections. Filipinos have a long history of supporting strong, mafia-like leaders, and she and her family are well aware of this. Her dramatic break with the president gives her the chance to present herself as an alternative to a government that has lost popularity due to the economy’s lackluster performance. Despite the threats of impeachment and potential sedition charges, this could provide her with a stronger platform for the 2028 presidential race than remaining aligned with the Marcos administration. It is clear that she has inherited the toxic politics of the Philippines.