By Artchil B. Fernandez
Not even in the wildest imagination of the Dutertes did they expect the day of retribution to come so soon. In their calculation, the day of reckoning would never come.
Back in 2021, the Duterte patriarch remained popular, even as his presidency neared its end. The opposition, or “dilawans,” had been hounded to oblivion and was in disarray. A coalition of political dynasties, led by the Dutertes and the Marcoses, was forged to ensure victory in the 2022 election. The UniTeam dreamed of 16 years in power – Marcos Jr. (2022-2028) followed by another Duterte (2028-2034). Everything seemed to fall into place, and the architects of the UniTeam looked to the future with confidence.
But politics and predictions don’t mix. No pundit, expert, or even a Nostradamus pretender could have forecast the present predicament of the Dutertes. They are losing their clout and facing the threat of political extinction. Their struggle for survival is real, a nightmarish scenario.
The administration of Bongbong Marcos (BBM), once an ally of the Dutertes, has unleashed the full might of the state against the Dutertes and their supporters. The Marcoses, treacherous as ever, perfected the art of wielding state power during their 20-year rule. After decades of political absence, the Marcoses are eager to flex their muscle again – and this time, the Dutertes are the target.
Key allies of the Dutertes are the first to feel the sting. Chief among them is doomsday preacher Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. His connection with the Dutertes once made him untouchable, granting him considerable power. The 15-day standoff at Quiboloy’s compound and his eventual capture signal the waning power of the Dutertes, who failed to protect Quiboloy in Davao City, their stronghold. Once powerful and seemingly invincible, Quiboloy now sits behind bars.
Key figures involved in high-profile scandals during the Duterte administration are also being rounded up to face charges. Former Procurement Service Executive Director Lloyd Christopher Lao, wanted for his role in allegedly overpriced COVID-19 supplies during Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, was recently arrested.
Businessman Tony Yang, the elder brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, was arrested this week. Though Yang’s arrest was based on a mission order as an “undesirable alien,” he is also under investigation for ties to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and illegal drugs. He is tagged as the “architect” of an alleged shady Chinese network in the Philippines.
Harry Roque, Duterte’s former spokesperson, is also on the run after being cited for contempt by the House of Representatives for failing to submit subpoenaed documents related to his alleged links to illegal POGOs.
The Dutertes themselves are not spared from scrutiny. Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, the eldest son of Rodrigo Duterte, was recently stripped of his P2-billion pork barrel funds by House leadership. He is under investigation for a P51-billion allocation for his district from 2020 to 2022 during his father’s presidency.
Vice President Sara Duterte is also under intense scrutiny. The House is investigating the budget of her office and her use of Department of Education (DepEd) funds while she served as education secretary. Her budget was slashed by 63 percent. This week, former DepEd undersecretary Gloria Jumamil Mercado revealed that Sara Duterte gave her envelopes of cash regularly while she was head of procuring entity (HOPE) for DepEd.
“Between February 2023 and September 2023, I received a total of nine envelopes labeled ‘HOPE,’ my concurrent position in DepEd at that time. These envelopes were handed to me monthly by Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda, who said they came directly from the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Mercado testified. The House is now intensifying its investigation into potential bribery involving Sara Duterte.
Despite these developments, it would be unwise for the Marcoses and their Team Tigre faction to assume that the Dutertes are finished. The Dutertes may be down, but they are certainly not out. They remain a significant political force.
The March 2024 OCTA Research political preference survey showed that 31 percent of respondents supported the Marcos administration, 20 percent supported the Dutertes, 4 percent supported the opposition, 29 percent identified as independent, and 15 percent refused to answer. By June 2024, support for Marcos rose to 36 percent, while support for the Dutertes dipped to 16 percent. Despite the decline, 16 percent is still a substantial figure that should not be underestimated.
The crucial question is: What is the Marcoses’ endgame in their ongoing pursuit of the Dutertes and their allies? Is it simply to weaken the Dutertes by cutting off their access to crucial government funds?
Or will the Marcoses deliver a fatal blow, politically finishing off the Dutertes? Under this scenario, Sara Duterte could not only see her budget reduced but face impeachment and removal from office. Paolo Duterte and his brothers may also be arrested on corruption charges. Finally, the Duterte patriarch could be hauled off to The Hague to face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
The Marcoses have crossed the Rubicon. Their next move will be intriguing, as politics is always full of imponderables. This saga of “kadiliman” versus “kasamaan” is one to watch.
