In a dramatic showdown before the Philippine House of Representatives this week, Vice President Sara Duterte found herself at the center of a heated budget inquiry, which she accused of being a politically motivated attack aimed at undermining her potential candidacy in the 2028 elections. The tension-filled session highlighted the growing rift between Duterte and allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., signaling a breakdown in what was once considered a formidable political alliance between two of the country’s most influential families.
Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, ran as Marcos’ vice president in the 2022 elections, a strategic move that saw her leveraging her father’s immense popularity. However, the two offices, while elected separately under Philippine law, managed to work together initially. But as Duterte faces growing scrutiny over her office’s budget and alleged financial mismanagement, her relationship with Marcos and his allies appears to have soured irreparably.
A Crumbling Alliance
The public unraveling of the Duterte-Marcos political partnership has been slow but steady, with differences in policy and governance style coming to the fore in recent months. Despite Duterte’s high standing in pre-election popularity polls leading up to 2022, she decided to run as Marcos’ vice president, in a move seen as a significant power consolidation for both political camps. However, cracks in the alliance began to show shortly after the election victory, driven by policy disagreements, particularly over foreign relations and internal political power struggles.
Marcos has notably favored policies that diverge from those of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. The elder Duterte’s administration was marked by a brutal war on drugs, close ties with China, and a strongman approach to governance. In contrast, Marcos has taken a more diplomatic stance, particularly in managing territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. Marcos has also made efforts to rehabilitate the Philippines’ image on the international stage, a move that was seemingly at odds with the Duterte camp’s often more insular and hardline governance.
In a highly publicized move, Sara Duterte resigned as Marcos’ education secretary in June of this year, a resignation widely seen as the final nail in the coffin of the political alliance. Since then, the two political families have been locked in a war of words, with Sara’s father exchanging sharp criticisms with Marcos in the local press. Analysts believe the elder Duterte’s disillusionment stems from fears that Marcos could eventually turn him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating the thousands of deaths under his drug war.
Budget Inquiry: A Political Arena
At the heart of the conflict is the recent House inquiry into the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2024. Duterte had requested over 2 billion pesos (U.S. $36.61 million), but the House committee, dominated by Marcos’ allies, proposed slashing this amount by more than 60%, leaving only 733 million pesos (approximately $13.19 million). The reduction in funding was a clear indication of the political dynamics at play, with Duterte alleging that the cuts were not about fiscal responsibility but about sabotaging her future political ambitions.
Refusing to take an oath before lawmakers during the inquiry, Duterte alleged a “well-funded and coordinated political attack” orchestrated by Marcos’ allies. “It is clear to me that this inquiry is not about misused funds, accountability, or governance,” she asserted, “instead it is only aimed at discrediting my name and my office, to prevent future political contests.”
Duterte was also questioned about alleged financial mismanagement in her office from the previous year. However, she remained defiant, stating that her office could continue to function even without an allocated budget. She further insinuated that the inquiry was a direct message from the House to the public: “Do not vote for Sara in 2028.”
Her refusal to respond to detailed questions about her office’s spending did not sit well with several lawmakers. Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano openly criticized Duterte’s stance, calling her unwillingness to engage in the inquiry a “smokescreen” to avoid providing proof for her claims. House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Jefferson Khonghun echoed these sentiments, saying, “Refusing to testify under oath sends a signal that there is something to avoid.”
Political Fallout and Future Ambitions
While Duterte has not officially announced her candidacy for the 2028 elections, she has previously stated that she would finalize and make her political plans public by the end of 2024. Many observers believe that her actions in recent months, particularly her combative stance toward Congress and the Marcos administration, are part of a calculated strategy to position herself as an anti-establishment candidate.
The vice president’s fiery rhetoric and refusal to cooperate with the budget inquiry are being seen as part of a larger effort to cast herself as a political outsider who is not beholden to the traditional powers in government. Asked by reporters during a break in the proceedings whether she would ever consider teaming up with the Marcos family again, Duterte gave a curt response: “Never again.”
However, some political analysts warn that this strategy could backfire. Edmund Tayao, president of the think-tank Political Economic Elemental Researchers and Strategists, said that while political leaders will always have their indiscretions, Duterte’s actions could be seen as a disregard for political institutions.
“No one is perfect in government regardless of elective or even appointed positions. But as an institution, it commands respect,” Tayao said. “Our constitution is rather clear: The Philippines is a democratic and republican state governed by the rule of law. Sovereignty resides in the people, and all government authority emanates from them.”
Tayao further emphasized that Duterte’s refusal to participate fully in the inquiry undermined the fundamental democratic principles of accountability and transparency. “Individually, any political leader in any and every administration will have his or her indiscretions, but they are answerable to the people on the principle of accountability,” he added.
The Power of the Purse
Under the Philippine Constitution, Congress holds the power of the purse, meaning it is responsible for scrutinizing all government expenditures, including those of the Office of the Vice President. The inquiry into Duterte’s office is part of this constitutional mandate, which includes reviewing “all appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing an increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills.”
Political analyst Ela Atienza argued that Duterte’s focus on personal grievances was detracting from the larger issues at play. “Duterte should set aside her political biases if she genuinely cares about her staff and the programs of her office,” Atienza said. “She needs to consider their needs. It shouldn’t always be about her or her ambitions.”
Atienza added that while Duterte may harbor disdain for lawmakers in the House, she ultimately answers to the public, who are both the voters and taxpayers. “While she may hate politicians in the House, the public who are the voters and taxpayers deserve answers.”
Legacy of the Duterte Presidency
The rift between Duterte and Marcos has also reignited public discussion of Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial legacy. The elder Duterte, who left office in 2022, remains a polarizing figure in Philippine politics. His brutal anti-drug campaign, which saw the deaths of an estimated 8,000 suspected drug dealers and users (with rights groups claiming the number could be much higher), continues to cast a long shadow over his daughter’s political career.
Rodrigo Duterte’s close relationship with China and his administration’s generally dismissive attitude toward international human rights organizations also put him at odds with the more internationally oriented Marcos administration. Marcos has taken a firmer stance against Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, signaling a shift away from the policies of the Duterte era.
This ongoing rift between the Duterte and Marcos camps has left many in the political sphere speculating about the long-term implications for the 2028 presidential race and beyond. Will Sara Duterte manage to step out of her father’s shadow and carve her own political path, or will the internal squabbles within the Duterte-Marcos alliance ultimately derail her ambitions?
As the budget inquiry continues and political jockeying for 2028 intensifies, one thing is clear: the political landscape of the Philippines is once again in a state of flux, with Sara Duterte at the center of the storm.
