The ongoing rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, once partners under the UniTeam banner, has shifted from a political alliance into a public spectacle that offers “high-value entertainment” but comes at the expense of Filipinos grappling with hunger, unemployment, and poor access to healthcare and education, according to Edna Co, a former dean at UP’s National College of Public Administration and Governance.
Co lamented that the political feud detracts from pressing national issues. “Filipinos don’t deserve this kind of political dynamics. The focus should be on addressing the country’s critical concerns, not on who delivers the best dramatic response,” she said.
A Partnership Turned Sour
Marcos and Duterte’s partnership began with a message of unity that won them the 2022 elections. However, their alliance fractured over disagreements, including Marcos’ rejection of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war and congressional probes into Sara Duterte’s confidential fund use.
The feud escalated when Duterte made shocking threats during a live press conference, including imagining decapitating the president in her dreams and threatening to have him, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated. Marcos responded firmly, saying he would not tolerate such criminal threats.
Since then, Duterte has faced impeachment complaints, and Congress slashed her office’s proposed 2025 budget from ₱2 billion to ₱733 million.
A Call for Accountability and Better Leadership
Co emphasized that such political drama overshadows the pressing need to elect leaders who focus on improving education, healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. She also called for greater scrutiny of Duterte’s tenure as Education Secretary, citing her lack of expertise in basic education and the slow progress in reforms under her leadership.
“When she resigned from DepEd, it was a blessing, paving the way for someone more competent to take the role,” Co remarked, noting that her exit also uncovered potential corruption within the agency.
An Opportunity for Change
The professor highlighted the importance of the upcoming elections, urging Filipinos to look beyond the Marcos-Duterte drama and evaluate candidates based on their platforms and commitment to public service.
“Voters need to rise above the spectacle. It’s not about choosing between Team Marcos and Team Sara—it’s about electing leaders who can genuinely uplift the nation,” Co added.
Co criticized the media and public’s obsession with the feud, saying it marginalizes candidates outside the UniTeam narrative. “The focus remains on the fallout, leaving other capable candidates unnoticed,” she said.
A Plea for Maturity in Political Discourse
“The excessive drama does a disservice to the country and the Marcos administration itself,” Co warned. She also noted that voters often mistake displays of bravado for effective leadership, a misconception that undermines informed decision-making.
As the political saga unfolds, Co encouraged competent candidates to step up and make their voices heard. “May the good citizens please stand up? Play your role. Be heard, be seen, be felt,” she concluded.
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