Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has registered to run for mayor of Davao City in an attempt to maintain his family’s political dynasty. Duterte’s son, Sebastian Duterte, will be his running mate in the upcoming election. The alliance between the Duterte and Marcos families has weakened, with Vice President Sara Duterte losing influence in the Marcos administration.
The decision to run for mayor comes as Duterte faces an investigation by the International Criminal Court for extrajudicial killings during his drug war. The revival of the drug war under Sebastian Duterte’s leadership was met with resistance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who removed pro-Duterte police officials in an effort to assert control over anti-drug operations.
The arrest of Duterte’s ally, Apollo Quiboloy, has further strained the Duterte-Marcos alliance. Quiboloy, known as the “Appointed Son of God,” faces child sex trafficking charges and is now running for Senate. The Marcos administration aims to strengthen ties with the US by potentially extraditing Quiboloy after domestic criminal proceedings.
The upcoming elections in May 2025 will see a showdown between the Dutertes and Marcos Jr. However, public opinion suggests fatigue with feuding political dynasties, with both Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr facing declining approval ratings. Despite this, the opposition remains weak, leaving voters with few alternatives. The political landscape in the Philippines is poised for a contentious and unpredictable electoral season.
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