In a dramatic move that symbolizes the end of the fragile political alliance known as UniTeam, Vice President Sara Duterte resigned on Wednesday from her cabinet roles under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., potentially igniting a fierce political rivalry between two of the country’s most powerful families.
Marcos accepted Duterte’s resignation from her positions as Education Secretary and vice chair of an anti-insurgency task force, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil announced.
No specific reasons were provided by Duterte for her departure from these roles.
“Resignation is not a sign of weakness but of genuine concern for teachers and the youth,” Duterte stated at a press conference, underscoring her continued commitment as vice president.
Political analysts had long anticipated the collapse of the Duterte-Marcos alliance, which brought them to power in 2022.
Their partnership was marked by significant policy and political differences. “It is the break we have all been waiting for,” said Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, Reuters reported.
Franco suggested that Duterte’s resignation could allow her greater autonomy to challenge Marcos.
The alliance, which helped Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, leverage Duterte’s strong support base, has shown signs of strain since Marcos assumed office.
He has reversed many policies of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, particularly concerning the South China Sea dispute, the war on drugs, and negotiations with communist rebels.
Marcos has also considered rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move starkly opposed by Rodrigo Duterte, who withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 after it initiated a preliminary examination into his controversial drug war.
Tensions escalated in January when Rodrigo Duterte accused Marcos of drug use, and Duterte’s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, called for Marcos’ resignation—a call Sara Duterte did not oppose.
“This resignation is not off the cuff,” said Aries Arugay, a visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
“This reflects the widening policy and political rift between them.” Arugay believes Sara Duterte’s resignation could polarize the country further, describing the emerging conflict as “dynasty versus dynasty.”
With high trust ratings, Sara Duterte is speculated to run for president in 2028 and endorse candidates in the 2025 mid-term elections.
Currently, her vice-presidential role is largely ceremonial without a cabinet position, whereas Marcos is limited to a single six-year presidential term under the Philippine constitution.
“The 2025 elections could be a referendum on which dynasty is stronger,” Arugay remarked. “It will indicate where the political winds are blowing.”
The Daily Netizen 