Political climate
History is filled with instances of former presidents being prosecuted and imprisoned when a hostile successor takes office. This is where the problem and fear lie.
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History is filled with instances of former presidents being prosecuted and imprisoned when a hostile successor takes office. This is where the problem and fear lie.
Few political figures have captured public attention and hatred like President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. Both leaders come from prominent political dynasties and their rise to power has been marked not only by huge support but also by controversy.
Marcos and Duterte are like rainy days and summer: one is cool, the other intense. They have had to bear the brunt of their public existence, and the weight of expectations tied to their surnames which has resulted in fluctuations in their public approval ratings.
As children of former presidents, Marcos and Duterte have stepped into their roles with their fathers’ legacies looming over them. Their legacies not only set a high standard for achievement but also attract many enemies eager to undermine and damage their reputations. Marcos is currently serving as President and is on his way out in less than two years, while Duterte is awaiting the conclusion of the Senate impeachment trial against her.
Duterte’s predicament stemmed from her decision to distance herself from the President, once an ally in previous elections, whom she has publicly accused of having wronged her and her family.
It’s not uncommon for heated exchanges to occur in the political arena, known for its intense dynamics. Some people perceive Duterte’s situation as political persecution, arguing that she is being targeted due to her father’s controversial presidency, particularly regarding issues such as the war on drugs and authoritarian governance.
Pro-Marcos administration supporters argue that this is Duterte’s time of reckoning, as allegations of corruption intensify scrutiny and criticism of any mistakes she makes. They detest the possibility of another Duterte presidency, similar to the apprehension surrounding the potential return of a Marcos presidency in 2022.
Duterte is, no doubt, still the frontrunner in the 2028 presidential race. It is an evolving situation that Marcos’s supporters have refused to accept, given the lack of a strong challenger from the Marcos camp or the pro-administration coalition. History is filled with instances of former presidents being prosecuted and imprisoned when a hostile successor takes office. This is where the problem and fear lie.
It’s understandable to think that some individuals might try to undermine Duterte’s chances and harm her, possibly even resorting to extreme measures. Her fears may not be imagined. This is why I understand why all election frontrunners have multiple bodyguards; there are many potential sore losers out there.
Duterte’s fate depends not on the prosecution’s ability to prove the impeachment charges against her but on her defense team’s ability to disprove them. If she is convicted, she will be barred from running for or holding any public office.
If she is acquitted and subsequently wins the upcoming elections, Marcos and his allies may face similar consequences. Such is the nature of political climate, not only in the Philippines, but also in other parts of the world.
