Philippine Politics Heightened by Arrests, Court Appearances

Philippine politics was anything but dull in the past two weeks. During this time, an arrest warrant was issued against Vice President Sara Duterte, who immediately posted bail and called for the resignation of her erstwhile ally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was arrested for plunder while recovering in a hospital before being transferred to a regular jail facility. And lastly, former President Rodrigo Duterte made his first trial in-court appearance after more than a year of being under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These high-profile events will continue to unfold and affect not just the Marcos presidency but also the narratives of the 2028 elections. Sara Duterte’s arrest warrant was issued in relation to the grave threats complaint filed against her after she said in an online video in late 2024 that she hired someone to kill Marcos and his wife. She posted bail to avoid arrest and called out Marcos for being ungrateful and betraying those who voted for him. Duterte minced no words against Marcos in a speech delivered in front of her supporters outside a local court: “You’re a liar, abusive. He has no debt of gratitude to our people and everyone who went to the precincts to put him in power. He has no shame.” The case is distinct from the current impeachment trial against Duterte, although the first article presented by the prosecution also related to the threats made by the vice president against the First Family. After the drama surrounding Duterte’s posting of bail, an anti-graft court ordered the arrest of Romualdez in connection with his role in the flood control kickback scandal. The arrest was cited by Palace supporters as proof that Marcos is seriously pursuing accountability, since Romualdez is his close ally and first cousin. Romualdez spent a few days in the hospital before being placed in a regular prison cell. The arrest was also seen as a move to counter the claim of Duterte’s camp that the vice president, her family, and allies were being unfairly targeted by the Marcos government. It was also timed a few weeks before the first anniversary of the massive anti-corruption protests that demanded accountability against all those implicated in the flood control controversy. Arresting Romualdez was therefore a political necessity for Marcos to dispute the allegations that he was persecuting the Dutertes, boost the credibility of his government’s anti-corruption drive, and assure the public that there’s no let-up in pursuing cases against corrupt officials. As a former House speaker, Romualdez was the highest official tagged in the corruption scandal. It could ease the pressure on Marcos, who is also accused of masterminding the anomalous budget insertions. It could divert attention toward Romualdez and his accomplices in Congress, and weaken the clamor to scrutinize the culpability of Marcos and other Palace officials in the rollout of corruption-tainted pork barrel projects. Meanwhile, Duterte’s appearance at the ICC coincided with the presentation of evidence concerning his daughter’s alleged unexplained wealth in the ongoing impeachment trial. What are the political implications of Sara Duterte’s case, Romualdez’s arrest, and Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC appearance? Sara Duterte’s fiery speech after posting bail may be intended to consolidate her base, portray herself and her family as victims of political persecution, and enhance the prospects of her presidential candidacy. On the other hand, the case reflects their eroded political influence and signals to senator-judges sitting in the impeachment trial that the Marcos government is mobilizing all remedies to remove the vice president from her position. Romualdez appears to be the Marcos government’s sacrificial lamb amid the continuing uproar against the unresolved corruption mess. Public vigilance is crucial to reverse the impunity that has plagued the country’s political system. A former Cabinet member of Marcos who was also charged with plunder was recently released after agreeing to be a witness. Imelda Marcos, the president’s mother, was acquitted this month by the Supreme Court in a 1991 case involving a portion of their alleged ill-gotten wealth. This is the reason why Romualdez’s arrest could not totally appease the public, who have become skeptical about the real agenda behind the decision to finally charge the president’s first cousin with a non-bailable plunder complaint. Rodrigo Duterte’s surprise appearance at the ICC, after months of waving his right to attend the trial, has agitated his loyal following and could strengthen his family’s clout. But it also made it clear that he is finally being held to account for the bloody “war on drugs” during his term. The recent political developments should not be reduced to a mere maneuver among political factions competing for dominance ahead of the 2028 elections. Marcos is evading accountability and desperately denying his lame duck status. Sara Duterte wants to survive the crisis that she herself created, but could not muster enough political support to hit back at Marcos. It is the people speaking out against corruption and protesting in the flooded communities that could sway the political balance and determine how the Marcos presidency will end in 2028. This is the crowd that embodied the anger against the corrupt budget system and demanded an end to political dynasties. They are not easily swayed by spectacles staged by political parties, and they can certainly make Philippine politics more interesting in the lead-up to the 2028 elections and beyond.