MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed on Friday that pursuing impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, who has faced significant scrutiny after she publicly threatened violence against him, would be pointless for Congress.
Marcos’s comments raise questions about whether they will deter various groups planning to submit impeachment complaints against Duterte, citing multiple allegations of criminal behavior, including her purported misuse of secret government funds and her alarming public declaration to have the president, his spouse, and the speaker of the House of Representatives killed if she were to face a similar fate herself.
This turmoil unfolds amid ongoing tensions between Marcos and the Duterte family, an extension of the long-standing adversarial dynamics among the country’s prominent political dynasties. Despite this escalating conflict, Marcos downplayed its significance, describing the situation as “a storm in a teacup.”
He questioned the relevance of the impeachment process, remarking, “This is not important. This will not make any difference to even one single Filipino life, so, why waste time on it?” Complaints are currently being drafted for submission to the House, which is presided over by Marcos’s cousin and political ally, Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez is considered a rival by Duterte. Both figures are eyeing the possibility of running for president in the 2028 elections. Duterte has explicitly dismissed the idea of reconciling politically with Marcos. They were elected together as running mates in the 2022 elections, riding on a message of unity, but their relationship soured over differing perspectives, especially regarding China and the United States.
As the Philippines grapples with an increasingly assertive China, Marcos has solidified a defense partnership with the United States. In contrast, Duterte has been criticized for not denouncing China’s aggressive moves and for fostering strong ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his tenure while disparaging U.S. policies.
Moreover, Marcos opposes the former president’s controversial anti-drug operations, which resulted in thousands of fatalities among impoverished suspects and led to an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court, looking into the possibility of prosecuting these actions as crimes against humanity.
When asked to comment on the vice president’s assertion that their political alliance has reached a breaking point, Marcos stated, “Never say never.”
Duterte, who is a 46-year-old lawyer, failed to attend a scheduled meeting with the National Bureau of Investigation regarding her threats against the president, his wife, and Romualdez that she made during an online briefing last weekend. She claimed she needed to review the questions beforehand, leading to a rescheduling of her appearance until December 11. Duterte has emphasized that her statements were not actual threats but rather a way to emphasize an unspecified danger she perceived.
Marcos condemned her statements as indicative of a criminal threat and affirmed his intention to respond robustly. Under Philippine law, such public declarations can be deemed criminal, potentially leading to prison sentences and fines for threats made against individuals or their families.
Additionally, the Department of Justice is investigating what could be deemed seditious remarks made by former President Rodrigo Duterte, wherein he suggested that only military intervention would lead to serious government action regarding corruption. He declared, “There is a fractured governance,” highlighting the military’s pivotal role in a corrective process. He further raised concerns about the capability of the armed forces under a commander-in-chief he accuses of drug misuse, a claim that Marcos has consistently denied.