Written for The Diplomat
The quick answer to the question posed in the title of this article is no. They are criticizing members of Congress and even Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but their party is still part of the ruling coalition.
If the split becomes irreconcilable, the Dutertes are expected to mobilize their local constituents and loyal allies; but they will get no support from activists, human rights defenders, independent media, and opposition politicians, all of whom were viciously persecuted during the previous government.
Can Vice President Sara Duterte Lead the Philippine Opposition?
Written for The Diplomat
Immediately after the resignation last week of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte as education secretary and vice chairperson of the government’s anti-communist task force, her supporters claimed that she had just become the leader of the country’s opposition.
Duterte has not commented on this, but opposition parties balked at the idea and pointed out that the vice president has to be made accountable for her use of the controversial confidential funds in 2022. She is also being implicated in the brutal “war on drugs” unleashed by the previous government of Rodrigo Duterte, her father.
As supposed leader of the opposition, Duterte has to work with various political formations in order to be effective in challenging the policies of the Marcos government. As it stands now, she will find it extremely difficult to connect with genuine and credible opposition forces since the majority have been victims of her father’s repressive administration.
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