BY JERESS CARMELA B. PARAS
A POLITICAL earthquake is shaking our country. The once-powerful alliance between Marcos and Duterte, a union that shaped the nation’s political landscape over the years, is unraveling before our country’s eyes.
The cracks that had formed for months have widened into a rupture. Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment and resignation from the Marcos administration are the most visible signs of the fallout. This political division has sent shockwaves into our political establishment and weakened the north-south political bloc, creating uncertainty regarding our country’s future.
The gap started escalating when Marcos pivoted the foreign policy on an American course contrary to Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-China stance. Duterte openly criticized this change, which showed growing tension between the two sides.
The division deepened when Sara Duterte stepped down as education secretary in 2024 but continued to serve as vice president; her resignation was widely seen as a sign that she was distancing herself from the Marcos administration. Tensions reached the breaking point when Vice President Sara Duterte faced impeachment, and his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested on charges of violating human rights tied to his controversial war on drugs. People now are accusing President Marcos Jr. of his arrest, believing that it is an act of political revenge.
The fallout between Marcos and Duterte symbolizes more than political rivalry; it also demonstrates a failure of leadership at a time when our country faces pressing economic and social issues. It suggests dysfunctionality in Philippine politics, where personal ambitions and power struggles have been prioritized over genuine public service.
While our leaders are consumed by political outbursts and disrupt each other’s personal agendas, they seem to ignore pressing issues like increasing crime, inflation, poverty, education, and health care. This raises a bitter question regarding those who cast their ballots for promises and prospects. Do they feel betrayed or disappointed?
When the supporters of the Marcos-Duterte alliance back in 2022 believed the populist strength of Duterte and the political history of Marcos could create a stable and efficient government, a promise of unity and progress, instead of bringing all hands on deck for grievances to address the issues facing the nation, they turned on each other, using political and legal strategies to weaken their rival. Few might remain faithful on the grounds of loyalty or political affiliation.
However, many others are likely questioning whether it was all a deception. Did they vote for leaders who would strengthen the nation or simply for dynasties focused on consolidating their power?
It may increase political instability and lead to frustration and distrust among citizens, who might feel that their voices and needs are being ignored because of political games.
Lastly, it shows that this political conflict exposes a more profound defect in our political system, wherein personalities and family legacies matter far more than policies and good governance. If this issue continues, the future of our country shall be at risk, not merely of political instability but also stagnation in addressing the real problems that affect every Filipino’s life.
The main question is whether voters demand accountability from their leaders or continue to tolerate a political culture where power struggles come before progress.
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Jeress Carmela is a political science student from the University of Cebu. The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance or policies of the University of Cebu Political Science Society.
