Free from a cabinet portfolio, Sara will most likely use her time to consolidate her support while aiming to field her own congressional candidates to challenge Marcos-backed politicians, according to Ramon Beleno, a political analyst and former professor from Davao City, the Dutertes’ bailiwick.
A decent showing in the midterms would strengthen the chances for Sara – daughter of former leader Rodrigo Duterte – taking the presidency in 2028, Beleno said. “The Dutertes will try to retake the momentum and go full force on the offensive,” he said.
The vice-president is set to pose a significant political challenge to Marcos, with surveys showing that Sara is more popular than the president – while also being among voters’ top choices to succeed Marcos when his single term ends in 2028.
Still, Marcos enjoys many of the advantages that come with the presidency, giving him an edge in next year’s vote, according to Sherwin Ona, an associate professor of political science at De La Salle University in Manila.
“The president has the political machine, so to speak. The 2025 elections will be an opportunity for Marcos to consolidate his power,” he said.
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What’s behind the apparent feud between the Marcos, Duterte clans in the Philippines?
What’s behind the apparent feud between the Marcos, Duterte clans in the Philippines?
Duterte’s exit gives Marcos “undisputed” power in the cabinet, said Michael Henry Yusingco, senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Centre in Manila. “The President has now full and sole control of his political future as well as his family’s,” he said.
But the move would allow Duterte to be more vocal in her opposition to Marcos, according to Harry Roque, who served as spokesperson during the presidency of Sara’s father, Rodrigo. “The line has been drawn,” Roque said in a Facebook post.
The political shifts are unlikely to trigger any immediate leadership crisis in the Philippines, said Bob Herrera-Lim, managing director at global advisory firm Teneo. The Southeast Asian nation remains to be among the fastest-growing economies in the region.
“The public will see it for what it is – the formalisation of the political divorce of the Marcos and Duterte families in preparation for the 2025 midterms and eventually the 2028 presidential elections,” he said.