Duterte’s unfading influence

Even in retirement, former President Rodrigo Duterte remains a dominant force in Philippine politics. His every statement, public appearance, and endorsement sends ripples across the political landscape, often compelling the current administration to respond.

In fact, before his arrest upon his return home Tuesday, Duterte already made headlines from Hong Kong, where he publicly endorsed his senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections. The move, while unsurprising to his staunch supporters, placed Malacañang in a reactive stance yet again, proving that the shadow of the former president still looms over the Marcos Jr. administration.

Duterte’s endorsement event in Hong Kong drew a massive crowd of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), many of whom continue to view him as a leader who championed their welfare.

His speech was filled with familiar rhetoric — defiant, direct and laced with humor — but it was his remarks about his legacy that caught even greater attention. He suggested that he deserved a monument for his war on drugs, a campaign that remains one of the most controversial aspects of his presidency. This pronouncement sparked debates anew about his leadership and legacy, prompting Malacañang to issue a response.

The Palace, which has often had to walk a tightrope when addressing Duterte’s remarks, found itself once again in an awkward position.

On the one hand, it had to acknowledge the former President’s continuing influence. On the other, it needed to carefully distance itself from the more controversial aspects of his statements.

The Presidential Communications Office diplomatically stated that the current administration respects Duterte’s opinions but remains focused on its own governance agenda. This attempt at a neutral response, however, did little to quell speculation that Duterte’s moves are unsettling to Malacañang.

Social media had been abuzz with claims that a 7,000-strong PNP arresting team was on standby, ready to apprehend the former president on a warrant issued by the ICC. While these claims had been speculative at best, the fact that they gained traction is a testament to the highly polarized political climate in the country. Duterte himself dismissed the rumors, laughing them off as “ridiculous,” while his supporters took to social media to defend him against what they perceived as a global conspiracy to discredit his administration.

The ICC issue remains a thorn in the side of the Philippine government. While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a more cautious approach, refusing to rejoin the International Criminal Court despite international pressure, the specter of an external investigation continues to loom.

Duterte’s defiant stance against the ICC, coupled with his still substantial support base, puts the Marcos administration in a precarious position. While they may wish to move on from the drug war’s controversies, the former president’s continued prominence ensures that the issue remains alive in the public discourse.

Ultimately, Duterte’s ability to dictate narratives, even post-presidency, underscores his enduring political relevance. His endorsements carry weight, his statements spark nationwide conversations, and his legacy — whether praised or condemned — remains a central topic in Philippine politics.

From all of this, one thing is clear: Duterte may have left Malacañang, but Malacañang has not left Duterte. Whether through endorsements, defiant statements, or looming legal battles, the former President continues to be a force that commands attention, reaction, and, perhaps, a monument in history — if not in stone, then certainly in the national consciousness.

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