Though the presidential race remains three years away, the contest is already heating up, setting the stage for a potentially riveting battle marked by unlikely alliances.

The UniTeam tandem of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in 2022 could see a 2028 reprise, albeit in a different configuration, as Duterte emerges as an early frontrunner.

The ruling clique desperately wanted to prevent her from snatching the top post in government for reasons of political survival, given the heavy baggage that developed from a united front into a fierce rivalry.

The “UniTeam” was a strategic marriage of convenience aimed at consolidating power and leveraging regional strongholds — Marcos’ northern Luzon base and the Dutertes’ Mindanao influence.

The partnership delivered a landslide victory, with Marcos securing 58.8 percent of the presidential vote and Sara 61.5 percent for vice president, marking an unprecedented mandate in post-1986 Philippine democracy.

The partnership thwarted Vice President Leni Robredo’s challenge. Developing now, straight out of an afternoon melodrama, is an alliance between Marcos and Robredo against VP Duterte.

Similar to the first UniTeam, the new fusion is driven by necessity rather than ideology. The only way VP Duterte can be matched is with a strong administration-backed bet, according to a political scientist.

What is hyped as a strong base for VP Duterte makes up only 30 percent of the electorate, meaning 70 percent needs a lot of courting, according to the latest surveys.

Sara’s numbers become strong in a fragmented race.

What stands in the way of the emerging coalition is that Robredo may have to abandon the Liberal Party (LP) to realize it.

The yellow mob, led by the LP, which cannot be identified with the Marcoses, said it will oppose any administration support for the 2028 elections.