Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has openly criticized his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., fueling rumors of a growing divide between the two leaders. In a speech filled with expletives on Sunday, Duterte accused Marcos of plotting to amend the constitution to lift term limits, which could potentially result in his removal from office, similar to what happened to his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Duterte further claimed that Marcos is a drug addict.
In response, Marcos dismissed Duterte's allegations, stating that he would not dignify them with a response. However, Marcos made a counter-accusation, suggesting that Duterte is using the powerful opioid fentanyl. Duterte's lawyer, Salvador Panelo, clarified on Monday that the former president had stopped taking fentanyl prior to assuming office in 2016. Marcos attributed Duterte's behavior to the alleged side effects of long-term fentanyl use, such as its impact on mental health.
Duterte asserted that lawmakers supporting Marcos, including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, are bribing local officials to amend the 1987 constitution. He implied that these amendments were aimed at extending their grip on power. Romualdez, who is the cousin of the current president, denied the allegations, stating that his primary objective is to remove restrictions on foreign investment.
While Marcos expressed openness to altering the constitution's economic provisions, he opposed changing the provision that restricts foreign ownership of land and other vital industries like media. Currently, Philippine presidents are limited to a single six-year term. The Senate, however, opposes opening the constitution to changes and warned that its checks-and-balances role could be undermined if the House of Representatives proceeds with amending the constitution jointly, instead of separate voting.
The Commission on Elections announced on Monday that it was indefinitely suspending all activities related to the effort to change the constitution. This decision temporarily derails the ongoing efforts to revise the charter. The 1987 constitution, laden with safeguards against dictatorships, was enacted after Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was ousted in 1986 due to allegations of plunder and human rights abuses during his regime.
Duterte's speech has given credence to long-standing rumors of a political rift between him and Marcos, despite their successful election campaign in 2022. Recent reports of an unannounced visit by International Criminal Court investigators investigating the killings during Duterte's anti-drug campaign have angered his supporters. Duterte claimed, without providing evidence, that Marcos was once on a list of suspected drug users compiled by law enforcement agencies. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, however, refuted Duterte's claim, stating that Marcos was never on such a list.
Apart from these differences, Duterte and Marcos also have contrasting foreign policy stances. While Duterte fostered close ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his presidency, Marcos appears to lean more towards the United States in the Philippines' territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. Last year, Marcos approved an expansion of U.S. military presence in the country under a 2014 defense pact.
As Marcos assumes the presidency, he faces the task of navigating economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and uniting a country mired in poverty and political divisions. In a rally held on Sunday, Marcos launched a campaign for a 'new Philippines,' promising to reform corrupt and inefficient governance while prioritizing public services. Despite the escalating criticisms from Duterte's camp, Marcos remained nonconfrontational, stating that the 'new Philippines' is not a hidden agenda but a genuine commitment to change.
Amidst these political tensions and conflicting narratives, the future of Philippine leadership and governance remains uncertain. The rift between Duterte and Marcos highlights the challenges faced by the country in maintaining political stability and moving towards progress.
