Scholars on Philippines' political chaos amid Marcos-Duterte tension

Tensions continue to escalate between the President and Vice-President of the Philippines in recent times, with the local community now feeling the effects of this conflict among the nation’s top leadership.

Some academics believe the chaotic situation will drag on until the presidential election in 2028.

The unstable relationship between Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and Vice-President Sara Duterte has been festering over the past three years.

From verbal threats intensifying to attempted assassinations, Duterte is now subject to an impeachment trial with the verdict set to be reached by the end of the year.

Once considered just political drama, ordinary Filipinos can now feel the rivalry’s effects on daily life.

Filly, who works in the Philippine cleaning sector, says she’s tired of the conflict between the two factions, and simply hopes politicians can pay more attention to the people’s livelihoods.

She says those earning a minimum wage can barely handle the surging inflation in the country, and questions whether Philippine leaders care about the struggles of the average citizen.

Some locals who once showed their support for the current administration vent their frustration at Manila’s handling of the stagnant economy.

Malyn, who voted for Marcos in the last presidential election, initially looked forward to his promise of leading the nation to prosperity.

She now says all she got in return was losing her job in the garment factory.

This as some Philippine academics predicts the Marcos-Duterte conflict will continue well into 2028, during which the country will hold its next presidential election.

Philippine Political Scientist ROMMEL BANLAOI: “The nature of Philippine politics is personality-oriented. We don’t have strong political parties, but our political parties are in fact tools of the political family – the oligarchy. What we are seeing now, the fight between the president and the vice president, is an expression of oligarchy conflict. They craft policies on the basis of the interest of the oligarchy and not the people.”