Philippines: Marcos-Duterte feud escalates into cliffhanger, instability to hit jobs, booming economy

Manila: Hold onto your seats.

Philippine politics just got even wilder. A once-formidable alliance between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, has turned into open warfare.

This all-out political showdown could take the country into the abyss of uncertainty — but one thing’s for sure: if it drags on, say goodbye to a smooth economic recovery and hello to vanishing jobs.

The unprecedented power struggle between the country's top leaders has raised concerns about stability and the future of reforms in the Asean nation.

On Wednesday (February 5), the 307-member House of Representatives – controlled by Marcos’s allies and led by the president’s cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez – voted to impeach Sara Duterte, with 215 votes.

Romualdez is himself reportedly eyeing a presidential run in 2028, after Marcos Jr's term end. The Philippine Constitution allows only a single, six-year term for president and vice president.

The House laid out 7 charges to impeach Duterte. What’s clear is that she’s facing not one, not two, but at least four complaints — all tied to alleged misuse of public funds. 

It’s the fourth impeachment complaint against the 46-year-old vice president, who is calling foul, denying every single accusation.

Meanwhile, 67-year-old President Marcos Jr. is playing it cool — for now. Last month, he made it clear that he’s not jumping on the impeachment train, stating it's not the country's priority.

The utter decimation of the Marcos-Duterte tandem has fractured the ruling coalition and deepened divisions.

Their bitter public feud reached a boiling point in November 2024, when Duterte allegedly made a shocking statement: she would have Marcos assassinated if someone did the same to her.

As their conflict worsens, political analysts warn that the Philippines is entering a period of instability that could paralyze governance and weaken the country’s ability to implement crucial reforms.

The Marcos-Duterte partnership was forged in 2021 out of political necessity, combining two of the Philippines' most dominant political dynasties. 

Marcos (whose political bailiwick is the country’s north) needed Duterte's popularity in Mindanao, in the country's south. 

Duterte rode on the Marcos family's influence in Luzon. Their "UniTeam" campaign promised unity and continuity, riding on the legacies of their powerful fathers — Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Rodrigo Duterte.

Under the watch of Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022), he allowed the remains of Marcos Sr. to be buried in the “Libingan ng mga Bayani”, the burial ground of the country’s heroes, a long-cherished moment by the Marcoses.

Marcos Sr died in 1989, just three years after he was deposed in a civilian-backed coup led by a cousin, General Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce-Enrile. Both are members the powerful Ilocano-speaking tribe, dominant in the north of mainland Luzon (where Manila is). 

Fast forward to the present: The Marcos-Duterte "UniTeam" has since turned into an all-out power struggle. Ramos died in 2022, and Enrile (a former Senate president and a Harvard-trained lawyer) is now Marcos Jr's chief legal counsel.

The political tug-of-war between Marcos and Duterte is not just a personal battle — it has dire consequences for the country.

The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows both leaders taking heavy political damage:

Notably, Marcos Jr.’ support eroded in Mindanao, Duterte’s stronghold, while Duterte lost favour in Metro Manila, signalling a nationwide split in voter sentiment.

Political scientist Richard Heydarian told CNN that this feud could create long-term instability.

The Philippines now faces a turbulent political year ahead. Duterte won’t go down without a fight. Marcos, on the other hand, will need to consolidate power while fending off opposition attacks.

As the rift between the two dynasties deepens, the once-mighty "UniTeam" alliance is now a shattered dream, leaving the nation to brace for further chaos.

The Philippines isn’t just one of Southeast Asia’s oldest democracies — it’s also the most boisterous, chaotic, and downright entertaining (the top senator is an actor). 

With no signs of reconciliation, and no neutral senior statesman to manage the trouble on top (social media platforms are not helping either – as they are driven by ad-oriented algorithms, designed to make money as they fan the flames of extreme partisanship), what happens next is anyone's guess.

Think of it as the region’s ultimate political telenovela.

Here’s the catch — while the drama unfolds, the country’s economic engines are firing on all cylinders. Tax-collections are up, while getting more efficient (Php2 trillion in taxes were paid using online channels in 2024).

Manufacturing, tourism, energy, and infrastructure are booming like never before. The last thing the Philippines needs right now? More uncertainty throwing a wrench in the way of progress.

So, while the political drama unfolds like a primetime teleserye, let’s just hope the economy doesn’t become collateral damage.

But hey, this is the Philippines — where we sometimes trip over our own feet while our neighbours sprint ahead, chuckling all the way to progress.