The Philippines and the former pinch each other, and the US media said that the "unity team" had broken down
The political situation in the Philippines has recently been in sharp turmoil. On January 28, the current Marcos and the former Duterte of the Philippines held large rallies in Manila and Davao, respectively, accusing each other of drug use, affecting judgment, and even threatening to oust each other. The United States commented that this is a sign that the long-standing rift between the two men has finally become public, and it is also evidence that their once "united team" has completely collapsed.
At a rally in Davao City, Duterte gave a fiery speech to tens of thousands of supporters, calling Marcos an "addict" who had been included in the list of suspected drug users. He also said that if Marcos didn't, he might launch a recall campaign to get the people to choose again. However, the Philippine anti-narcotics department denied Duterte's statement on the 29th, saying that Marcos had never been included in the list of any drug users.
Marcos also addressed hundreds of thousands of supporters at the rally in Manila, refuting Duterte's allegations, saying that Duterte's judgment was influenced by the opioid fentanyl. He said Duterte had used fentanyl for pain, the strongest painkiller that causes hallucinations and dependence. He also said he hoped doctors would give Duterte a better **.
Marcos once again responded to Duterte's accusations as he set off for a visit to Vietnam, AFP.
Duterte admitted in 2016 that he had used fentanyl to relieve pain from motorcycle accidents. But his lawyer, Salvador Panello, said on the 29th that Duterte had stopped taking fentanyl in 2016.
Duterte and Marcos's mutual attacks have attracted widespread international attention. AFP reported that ** estimated that 400,000 people attended the rally in Manila on the 28th, while more than 40,000 people attended the rally in Davao. The report quoted Jean Franco, a professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, as saying: "This is the most open and deliberate way to let the people know that the 'Solidarity Team' no longer exists." ”
Reuters reported that the incident made the long-rumored ** of the two begin to go public. The Associated Press also reported that Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte, was once Marcos's running mate, but their "unity team" has broken down nearly two years after winning **.
Bloomberg pointed out on the 29th channel that since last year, as Marcos's parliamentary allies have challenged Sara Duterte over classified funding, coupled with Marcos's change from Duterte's policies and continuous strengthening of relations with the United States, the rift in the Marcos-Duterte alliance has deepened and may become the latest flashpoint between the two camps before next year's midterm elections.
Duterte's accusations come shortly after his son, Sebastian Duterte, the current mayor of Davao City, publicly called for Marcos' resignation, citing Marcos' inability to address the country's drug and armed insurgency and his foreign policy "endangering the lives of innocent Filipinos."
As rumors of intensifying contradictions between the two sides continue to ferment, the Philippines even reported earlier that "someone instigated the military to launch a coup d'état", and some opponents of Duterte pointed the finger at Duterte. Duterte dismissed the news as rumors on January 6, saying that he did not see a major mistake by the authorities, that he was not looking for a replacement for Marcos, and that he wanted to talk to Marcos. In response on January 7, the Philippine government said that Marcos was "always ailable" to meet with Duterte.