Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte launched a sharp criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, accusing him of incompetence and poor leadership, highlighting the rift between Marcos and Duterte ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Duterte, the daughter of Marcos’ predecessor, resigned from the cabinet in June, marking the breakdown of a political alliance that had been key to their 2022 electoral victories.
“The current leader doesn’t know how to be president,” Duterte stated during a two-hour, unscripted press conference, blaming issues like inflation and food insecurity on a lack of clear government policies. “It’s not my fault we’re on this road to disaster,” she added, emphasizing that Marcos entered office without a concrete plan. “I don’t recall him ever outlining what he would do in government,” she said.
Upcoming Midterm Elections in May 2025
The midterm elections in May 2025 will be a crucial event midway through President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s six-year term. These elections, seen as a referendum on his administration, will determine half of the Senate seats, all seats in the House of Representatives, and numerous local positions, including governors and mayors
Breakdown of a Powerful Political Alliance
In February 2024, the rift between Marcos and Duterte escalated, with both accusing each other of drug use. This conflict threatens Marcos’s reform agenda and could destabilize his government. While Marcos downplayed the rift, analysts warn of potential divisions within the military and obstacles to his economic and infrastructure plans.
The fallout is linked to Marcos’s pivot to a pro-U.S. stance and his support for constitutional changes, which Duterte strongly opposes. This growing tension may also shape the 2028 presidential race, where Sara Duterte is seen as a leading contender. In response to Duterte’s criticisms, Marcos suggested that her admitted use of fentanyl for pain relief may have clouded her judgment.
