The once-powerful alliance between the Duterte and Marcos families, which propelled Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the presidency in 2022, has collapsed into one of the most bitter and destabilizing political rivalries in modern Philippine history. What began as a strategic “UniTeam” partnership has evolved into open hostility, complete with personal attacks, impeachment battles, and allegations of assassination plots, threatening to reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections.
From Alliance to Animosity
In the 2022 presidential elections, Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, formed a formidable tandem. Sara served as Marcos’ running mate, and their campaign emphasized national unity, continuity of the popular drug war policies, and strong leadership. The pair secured a landslide victory, raising hopes for a stable and cohesive government.
However, cracks in the relationship appeared early. By early 2024, public disagreements emerged, including accusations of drug use leveled by Rodrigo Duterte against the sitting president. Tensions escalated in June 2024 when Sara Duterte resigned from her positions as Secretary of Education and other cabinet roles, citing irreconcilable differences over foreign policy—particularly the Philippines’ approach to the South China Sea dispute.
The feud reached a shocking peak in November 2024 when Sara publicly admitted in a livestream that she had hired a hitman to assassinate President Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if anything happened to her. This revelation dramatically intensified the conflict and became a central point of contention.
Major Developments in 2025–2026
The rivalry took a dramatic international turn in March 2025 with the arrest and transfer of Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. He faces charges related to crimes against humanity stemming from his aggressive war on drugs. Many Duterte supporters viewed the move as politically orchestrated by the Marcos administration to dismantle their influence.
Domestically, the House of Representatives has pursued impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on multiple occasions. The charges include misuse of confidential funds during her time as Education Secretary and betrayal of public trust linked to the alleged assassination plot. While the House successfully impeached her, Duterte allies in the Senate have managed to delay or dismiss the proceedings, particularly after favorable results for Duterte-backed candidates in the May 2025 midterm elections.
As of mid-2026, the political atmosphere remains charged. Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial continues to unfold in the Senate, while personal and political clashes over issues like flood control projects and corruption allegations persist. Sara has openly signaled her intention to run for president in 2028, positioning herself as the standard-bearer for the Duterte faction.
Diverging Visions and Core Flashpoints
At the heart of the feud are fundamental differences in policy and governance style:
- Foreign Policy: The Marcos administration has pursued closer alignment with the United States and a firmer stance against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. In contrast, the Duterte camp favors a more conciliatory approach toward China and has criticized Marcos for potentially provoking conflict.
- Domestic Priorities: Marcos emphasizes rule of law, international legitimacy, and selective anti-corruption drives targeting political rivals. The Dutertes defend the legacy of the drug war and rally around populist, anti-elite sentiments.
- Power Dynamics: The conflict highlights the enduring role of political dynasties in the Philippines, where personal loyalties and family interests often overshadow ideological differences. Both sides stand accused of weaponizing state institutions—Congress, the courts, and even international bodies—for political advantage.
Broader Consequences for the Philippines
The ongoing feud has significant implications for the country. Governance has suffered as political energy is diverted toward infighting rather than addressing pressing national challenges such as typhoon recovery, inflation control, infrastructure development, and economic recovery.
On the international front, internal divisions have potentially weakened the Philippines’ negotiating position in the South China Sea, sending mixed signals to Beijing and allies alike. Critics argue that the rivalry is deepening polarization, eroding public trust in institutions, and reinforcing the perception that Philippine politics remains dominated by elite family rivalries rather than policy substance.
As the nation heads toward the 2028 presidential election, the Duterte-Marcos conflict is likely to dominate the narrative. With Sara Duterte emerging as a formidable contender, the outcome of her impeachment trial and Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case could prove decisive in determining the balance of power.
The Philippines, long accustomed to colorful and combative politics, now faces a high-stakes family drama with real consequences for its stability and global standing. Whether this feud ultimately leads to renewal or further fragmentation remains one of the defining political questions of the decade.
About The Author
