Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has escalated her rivalry with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by threatening to dig up and dispose of the remains of his late father, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., in the sea. This bold statement was made during a press conference, reflecting the growing tensions between the two powerful political families.
Once allies, Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr. ran on a joint ticket during the 2022 elections, securing a decisive victory. However, following her resignation from the cabinet in June, their relationship has soured, leading to a fierce power struggle as both prepare for the upcoming midterm elections and the presidential race in 2028.
The stakes are particularly high for the Duterte family, as Sara’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial “war on drugs.”
In her most recent remarks, Duterte criticized Marcos Jr.’s administration, claiming the country is on a “road to hell” due to a lack of effective policies addressing inflation and food security. She recounted feeling “used” after their partnership, specifically citing an incident where she felt Marcos publicly humiliated a young graduate who requested his watch as a graduation gift.
Tensions have further escalated amid allegations of public fund misuse directed at Duterte, which she has denied. These accusations come in the wake of parliamentary hearings concerning the “war on drugs,” during which claims emerged that Rodrigo Duterte’s office rewarded police for killing drug suspects.
While Marcos Jr. has previously stated he would not cooperate with the ICC’s investigation, analysts suggest he may reconsider if he perceives weakness in his political rivals.
In a bold declaration, Sara Duterte vowed that if the political attacks against her persist, she would retrieve Marcos Sr.’s remains and dispose of them in the West Philippine Sea. This statement comes after a historical context where Rodrigo Duterte controversially permitted a hero’s burial for Marcos Sr. in 2016, despite the latter’s notorious reputation for corruption and human rights abuses during his regime.
Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez confirmed that Marcos Jr. would not be responding to Duterte’s incendiary remarks.
