Political Turmoil in the Philippines—Vice President Sara Duterte recently made a high-profile appearance in a campaign ad, endorsing Senator Imee Marcos, who is seeking re-election, sparking speculation about a rift between the Duterte family and the Marcos camp.
What's more intriguing is the timing of this event: former President Rodrigo Duterte may face an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding human rights issues during the "war on drugs," with the possibility of being "sent to The Hague" increasingly imminent.
🖤 "Black is the color of the nation": Sara and Imee release political undertones
In the latest campaign video released by Imee Marcos, Sara Duterte makes a rare appearance alongside her "political ally's" sister—President Bongbong Marcos's elder sister—both dressed in rock-style all-black outfits, with a strong style and clear message. The ad, themed "ITIM (black)," assigns new symbolic meaning to the color, representing the "dark period" the nation is undergoing—hunger, crime, and injustice.
In the video, the two powerful women speak with a heavy tone: "Black is the color of the nation because it is mourning. Our people are both starving and craving justice. And those who do not belong to a certain camp are being oppressed." This statement is widely interpreted as an allusion to the current ruling team, even directly pointing to President Bongbong Marcos's government's loss of public support. The video ends with the prominent text: "Sara trusts Imee Marcos," further solidifying the symbolic meaning of their political alliance.
🤝 "Hand in hand" behind the political signal
Even more intriguing is the close-up shot of Sara and Imee's fingers interlocked in the ad, visually reinforcing the "alliance" imagery and seen as a formal farewell to the old era of the Duterte-Marcos alliance. Sara's "hand-holding" with Imee, rather than appearing with President Marcos, raises suspicions: Is the Marcos family already planning for the political landscape after the 2025 midterm elections? And is Sara testing the waters for a potential presidential run in 2028?
🧨 Grim prospects for old Duterte, is the "Duterte family" being politically cut off?
As Sara makes a high-profile appearance in the Marcos camp, her father, Rodrigo Duterte, faces the possibility of being prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. According to foreign media reports, the ICC is re-examining the numerous untried executions during Duterte's "war on drugs." There is widespread concern that the "iron-fisted president" may face the fate of being sent to The Hague for trial.
Sara is clearly "starting anew" politically, neither speaking out about her father's legal troubles nor defending the legacy of the "Duterte era" in public, leading to speculation: Has the Duterte family been "strategically cut off" by the Marcos camp? Or is Sara seeking an independent political path, paving the way for herself rather than continuing her family's power?
📌 Summary:
Amidst the tumultuous times for the Duterte family, Vice President Sara's high-profile support for Imee Marcos is undoubtedly a significant political signal: not only is it a collaboration between two female political figures, but it may also signify a major shift in the political alliance landscape of the Philippines. With the midterm elections approaching, the Philippine political scene seems to be quietly brewing for the 2028 presidential election.
