29-1-2024 (MANILA) Sebastian Duterte, son of former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte, issued a strong call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign on Sunday, citing allegations of laziness and lack of compassion, intensifying the discord between the two politically influential families.
Marcos and Duterte’s daughter Sara joined forces in the 2022 election, with Sara appointed as vice president in their victory. However, fissures within the alliance have surfaced as the incumbent president diverged from his predecessor’s hardline stance on drugs and foreign policies.
Sebastian Duterte, serving as the mayor of Davao, the Philippines’ third most populous city, pointed to a resurgence in crime following the relaxation of his father’s tough anti-drug campaign. He also criticised Marcos for allowing expanded U.S. access to military bases, which he believes endangers innocent Filipinos, and for restarting peace negotiations with communist rebels without understanding the plight of affected communities.
“You are lazy and lack compassion. That’s why we are unhappy,” Sebastian asserted at a leadership forum.
As Marcos embarked on his “Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines)” campaign rally in the capital, promising enhancements in state services and budget transparency, the rift with the Dutertes could impact his efforts to consolidate support ahead of the upcoming mid-term Senate and congressional elections.
Sara Duterte, who also serves as education secretary, attended the president’s rally before heading to Davao to participate in a prayer rally alongside her family against proposed amendments to the Philippine constitution, supported by Marcos. Critics, including the Dutertes, argue that such changes aim to alter the political landscape and remove term limits, including that of the president.
Sebastian Duterte criticised Marcos for prioritising politics over national interest, urging him to resign if he lacks love and aspirations for the nation. Sara Duterte has similarly opposed some of Marcos’ policies, notably the peace talks with communist rebels, which she labelled as an “agreement with the devil.”
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Marcos’ office or the vice president regarding Sebastian Duterte’s statements.
