Marcos siblings at loggerheads over Duterte arrest: What the media is not saying

Manila: Senator Imee Marcos, the president's sister, is urging an anti-graft court to investigate and potentially prosecute several key members of the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr ("BBM").

Their alleged crime: involvement in the surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Imee (full name Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios Romualdez Marcos) currently chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

'Criminal, administrative' violations

On Friday (May 2), she announced that she had officially submitted her committee's report to the Ombudsman, citing evidence that points to possible "criminal and administrative" violations committed by key government figures.

“I am requesting that these officials, all of whom are named in the report (see below), be investigated, and where appropriate, prosecuted and/or sanctioned in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations,” she added.

President rejects sister's findings

President Marcos has previously rejected the findings of the Senate report led by Imee which claimed that the arrest of Duterte was "politically motivated" and intended to undermine him and Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I disagree,” the President told reporters on April 30. He said Duterte's arrest was neither a political attack nor a breach of Philippine sovereignty.

“We followed every single necessary procedure – the very good basis on which to serve that warrant and to read him his rights… So I’m confident that in further examination, you will find that it is proper and correct,” he told reporters during a late-night press conference at Malacañang.

Complaints filed in 2017

The chief executive cited that the complaints against Duterte were filed in 2017, long before he assumed office in 2022.

“I don’t see how that can be political persecution on my part because... it was initiated before I even came into the picture... I was still a civilian then,” he said.

The president said the Philippines did not grant any request from the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding Duterte’s drug war, but Marcos said the country could not ignore the request of the International Criminal Police Organsation (Interpol) to surrender the former president.

For her part, Imee's Senate report detailed the following officials and their alleged liabilities:

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla

Marcos stated that Remulla may be liable for usurpation of judicial functions under Article 241 of the Revised Penal Code and may have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. She also noted there is “reason to believe” that Remulla committed Grave Misconduct and acts Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Police General Nicolas Torre III

According to the report, there is basis to hold the police general accountable for Arbitrary Detention, Grave Threats under Article 282, and the administrative charges of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil

Marcos said that based on the hearings, there are "reasonable grounds" to charge the Philippine National Police chief with Arbitrary Detention as well as administrative offenses including Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla

The DILG secretary, and brother of Justice Secretary Remulla, was also cited by Marcos for possible criminal liability under the Anti-Graft Law and for Arbitrary Detention. She further asserted that he should be held administratively liable for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao

Imee alleged that Lacanilao committed Usurpation of Official Functions, gave False Testimony, and committed Perjury in Solemn Affirmation. She also cited him for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Charges vs Duterte

The committee report follows the arrest and transfer of former President Duterte to The Hague, where he now remains in ICC custody over charges related to crimes against humanity. 

Sibling rift:

Much of the mainstream coverage has painted the rift as a simple disagreement between siblings. 

The arrest was not just a legal move — but seen by the Duterte camp as part of a calculated strategy to weaken Duterte’s influence.

But behind the scenes, it signals a fracturing of the Marcos-Duterte alliance that helped deliver a landslide victory in 2022.

Political equation

The Marcoses have long dominated the vote-rich Ilocos region, while the Visayas and Mindanao regions are the political base the Dutertes.

Analysts say this internal conflict may also affect candidate alignments for the 2025 Senate and congressional races.

Imee is currently running for Senate as an independent, apart from the Marcos administration canditates.

The sibling rift is a calculated risk on Imee's part.

Imee’s latest power plays might win her points in Duterte country — but could ruffle feathers in the pro-BBM crowd, putting her reelection vibes at risk.

In the May 12 mid-term polls, there are 12 lots open in the 24-member Senate.

A PulseAsia Research survey taken from April 202-24, 2025 shows Imee does not form part of the "Magic 12". She ranks between 14 to 18, below boxer and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and directly competing with actor Phillip Salvador, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and former local government secretary Benhur Abalos. 

Imee, who orchestrated the Marcos-Duterte alliance that staged the "Uniteam" landslide victory in 2022, is also trying to win the Mindanao votes.

Vice President Sara Duterte has endorsed Imee's senatorial campaign and remains a strong potential 2028 presidential contender.

The road ahead

As the May 12 vote nears, the nuances surrounding the rift within the Marcos family and its implications for any possibility of a coalition between the top political clans will become more critical.

Whether this division deepens or is patched over (some say it's beyond repair) may determine not just the fate of the Marcos presidency, but the entire shape of Philippine politics in the post-Duterte era.

In the meantime, the short-term geopolitical and strategic underpinnings of this feud remains.

The current Marcos administration’s increasing cooperation with the United States — a major shift from Duterte’s China-friendly foreign policy — has not sat well with Duterte loyalists.

The arrest, critics argue, is symbolic of the broader “de-Dutertization” of government institutions. The media has largely downplayed this narrative.

The media, it seems, still treating frames this as a family squabble — when it could well be the opening chapter of the next great realignment in Philippine power politics, with implications for the well-being of 110+ million Filipinos.