A nation divided (2)

The events of that fateful day, the 11th of March 2025, is only the start of a new “season” in the gripping political drama series between the two warring political clans that were, just over three years ago, united to win the presidency and vice presidency — a feat last achieved in 2004 by the winning tandem of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Noli de Castro.

On the one hand, we have the Marcos-Romualdez clan with a foothold in the “solid North” and Eastern Visayas; on the other, the Dutertes who claim the “solid South” and other Bisaya-speaking provinces.

Who will survive and emerge victorious in the aftermath of this political saga seems to be a foregone conclusion at this point, but one can’t be too complacent. There are still a few cards (and at least one ace) that can be played by the underdogs under certain conditions, but the timing will be crucial.

The haste by which former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) was arrested and flown out of the country — and out of reach of Philippine courts — was unprecedented. The Machiavellian-inspired execution of the long-rumored impending issuance by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of an arrest warrant for the popular strongman in connection with his war on drugs shocked (and rocked) our nation — sending ripples through the Philippine countryside and the rest of the world.

This recent development has added another dimension to the decision points of voters who will pick come the May elections the incoming 12 senator-jurors who, along with the 12 sitting senators, will preside over the impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte.

We come to Senator Imee Marcos. The broker for the now defunct UniTeam — a once seemingly mutually beneficial partnership anchored on a supposed shared vision and ideals that easily went from love to hate. This is a reminder that there are no permanent friends in politics, only temporary and convenient alliances.

Torn between family and friends, she will be the first casualty of the fallout. It does not seem likely that Manang Imee will serve a second six-year term in the Senate. She has lost favor with supporters on both sides. Her call for an inquiry into the arrest of FPRRD is a Hail Mary to the high heavens.

Senator Bato dela Rosa will be on the lookout (or in hiding or maybe detention) as he is expected to be among those indicted and arrested after FPRRD. Even with the high probability that Dela Rosa could win a Senate seat, he will always have the threat of a warrant of arrest from the ICC hanging over his head. That said, there is a distinct possibility that we will only have 23 (of 24) sitting senators for the 20th Congress.

Right now, we are a nation divided by politics. The issue is so polarizing that friends have started unfriending those who do not share their sentiments on social media. This is also true with colleagues at work and among family members in their homes.

What we are witnessing unfold is an unapologetic demonstration of the full force of what the Marcos administration can and will not hesitate to exert against its perceived enemies. It’s still unclear to many who struck first, as that depends on which side you are speaking to.

One thing is certain, only history will get to decide who is right — not us.