Drama just hit a new level in Philippine politics, and it’s giving us major House of Cards vibes – except this is all too real. In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Vice President Sara Duterte just publicly admitted to arranging a potential hit on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Yes, you read that right.
Picture this: It’s early Saturday morning, and Duterte drops this bombshell during a press conference. She casually mentions – complete with colorful language – that she’s instructed an assassin to take out President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if anything happens to her. Not exactly your typical weekend political announcement.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t just some random political spat. We’re watching the spectacular collapse of what was once the Philippines’ most powerful political alliance. These two families – the Dutertes and the Marcoses – were basically the country’s political power couple until recently. They swept into office together in 2022 with massive support, but that honeymoon is definitely over.
The Palace’s response? They’re taking this threat seriously (as you probably should when your VP openly talks about having you killed). The Presidential Security Command has been called in, and the administration is promising “immediate proper action.”
So what sparked this political powder keg? Well, Duterte quit Marcos’ cabinet in June but kept her VP role. Then there’s the not-so-small matter of her office budget being slashed by nearly two-thirds by Marcos’ cousin, Speaker Romualdez. Oh, and let’s not forget October’s episode where she publicly fantasized about decapitating the president. Just another day in Philippine politics, right?
The timing couldn’t be more intense with mid-term elections coming up in May. These elections aren’t just about filling seats – they’re a crucial test of Marcos’ popularity and his chance to cement power before his single six-year term ends in 2028.
For context on just how serious political violence can be in the Philippines, flash back to 1983: Senator Benigno Aquino, who stood up to Marcos’ father’s authoritarian rule, was assassinated right as he stepped off a plane returning from exile.
The most surreal part? In the Philippines, the VP is elected separately and doesn’t really have official duties. Many VPs focus on social development or take cabinet posts – though threatening to assassinate the president is definitely not in the usual job description.
Between the death threats, budget cuts, and accusations of incompetence, this political soap opera is far from over. And with both families disagreeing on everything from foreign policy to the infamous war on drugs, we’re likely in for more fireworks ahead.
Welcome to Philippine politics in 2024, where the line between political drama and Netflix series gets blurrier by the day.
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