“Political bickering at this point is like a hole in the head. All this can only turn off foreign investors, and negatively affect economic growth”
VICE President Sara Duterte did the long-expected resignation from the Marcos Cabinet as secretary of education.
After months of the long-soured relationship of the so-called UNITEAM of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duetrte, she did the inevitable and resigned from the Marcos Cabinet.
What the Vice President did was no surprise to many since most knew the Vice President would resign finally.
Now, may the Vice President be the leader of the opposition?
Most of the self-appointed pundits and analysts are going to town speculating on what will happen, especially in 2025, next year, being a midterm election year.
With the former President Rodrigo Duterte running for the Senate and with his daughter leading the opposition, Santa Banana, it would be interesting days ahead.
Recall the former President had even called BBM a “drug addict,” a “spoiled child,” and a “weak leader,” but BBM laughed them off.
Recall also the First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos got into the picture when she reacted to the fact that the Vice President laughed and seemed to enjoy the Davao City rally where Marcos Jr. was called a drug addict.
But, what bothers a lot of people is that political bickering at this time when China is becoming so aggressive at the West Philippine Sea and especially at the Exclusive Economic Zone, in the disputed waters and shoals like Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) and the Panatag Shoal off Zambales at Bajo de Masinloc is misplaced.
China had threatened trespassers, that means us, Filipinos, would be detained for three months, and banned fisherfolk from Bajo de Masinloc.
In fact, China’s Coast Guard vessels boarded a Philippine vessel on a resupply mission to Filipino navy men aboard the grounded World War II BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. hurting at least seven crewmen and seizing food provisions.
We still have to know what the Vice President has to say about these.
With Sara’s temperament, what will she say against China?
Will father and daughter continue their word war with Marcos Jr.?
To me, political bickering at this point is like a hole in the head. All this can only turn off foreign investors, and negatively affect economic growth.
It would truly be interesting what the Dutertes, being oppositionists, will do if and when President Marcos will finally decide to join the United Nations Rome Statute which would mean rejoining the International Criminal Court, and allowing the investigation force to continue investigation of the extrajudicial killings during the six-year term of Sara’s father.
Recall that Sara, the mayor of Davao City, was included among those being investigated by the ICC, together with Senator “Bato” dela Rosa and others.
I won’t second guess what would happen next once the ICC would issue a warrant of arrest against the Dutertes on crimes against humanity.
Interesting days ahead, but lamentably not good for the Philippines.
Sara preparing for 2028
Clearly, Sara Duterte is preparing herself to be a presidential candidate in 2028.
I hate to say it since 2028 is too far off to speculate on anything.
But in the Philippines, politics is a never-ending activity.
With the resignation of the Vice President from the Cabinet, it gives her all the time to prepare for 2028.
Indeed, interesting days are ahead. Unfortunately, not for the country facing threats of imminent war.
While war may not be unavoidable, at this time all these are a hole in the head.
It may be beneficial to the Dutertes to prepare this early. But, between now and 2028, many things can happen, and will happen.
The Singapore strongman Lee Kuan Yew once said after a visit to the Philippines that “They (the Philippines) have too much politics.”
Look at Vietnam which has surpassed the Philippines in economic development.
They have no elections, while we in the Philippines eat politics for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Clearly, Sara is overestimating herself as an opposition leader.
Traditional oppositionists, like former Senator Leila de Lima, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and others, are balking at Sara being the opposition leader.