Marcos-Duterte Alliance: In a country where political dynasties wield immense power, the Philippines has been captivated by the unfolding drama between former President Rodrigo Duterte and his successor, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The once-unstoppable alliance between the two influential families now seems to be showing signs of strain, sparking speculation about a potential split.
The rift between Duterte and Marcos came to a head when Duterte publicly accused Marcos of being a drug addict, to which Marcos responded by insinuating that Duterte made the accusation while under the influence of opioids. This exchange marked a significant departure from the unity that propelled Marcos to victory in the 2022 elections, with Vice-President Sara Duterte, Duterte’s daughter, standing by his side.
Analysts had long predicted tensions between the two powerful political dynasties, given their differing agendas and public spats. Sara Duterte’s decision to run for the vice-presidency in 2021, despite being seen as her father’s political heir, further strained the alliance. Yet, both Duterte and Marcos recognized the risk of splitting their support base by running against each other and joined forces as the “UniTeam,” uniting their respective strongholds to secure a majority win.
Despite their outward display of unity, underlying differences and conflicting ambitions have surfaced. Marcos aims to ease restrictions for foreign businesses, attract investment, and strengthen ties with the US and Japan, in contrast to Duterte’s approach of seeking closer relations with China during his presidency. Additionally, smaller disputes, such as Sara Duterte’s appointment as education minister in the Marcos government and budget cuts to her discretionary funds, have further strained relations between the two camps.
While Duterte and Marcos have refrained from directly attacking each other, tensions continue to simmer, with both sides vying for the upper hand. The recent exchange between First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Sara Duterte on social media underscores the high-stakes political maneuvering at play. As speculation mounts about a potential split in the alliance, the implications for both parties could be significant, affecting their political futures and the landscape of Philippine politics for years to come. Check out the full story at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-08/marcos-says-duterte-call-to-split-philippines-doomed-to-fail
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