Let Them Fight: The People Deserve Accountability, Not Distraction
(Thoughts after the recent Marcos-Duterte feud)
In the ongoing political drama between the Marcoses and the Dutertes, the Filipino people find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being forced to choose between two flawed legacies. The clash between these two political families, once united under the banner of the so-called "Uniteam," has now become a spectacle—one that distracts from the ever-pressing demand for accountability. Whether it’s Duterte’s death threats against the Marcoses or Marcos Jr.’s distance from Duterte’s culture of impunity, the truth remains the same: despite their apparent rift, they are two sides of the same coin, and it is time for the people to demand that both sides face scrutiny and justice.
Let them fight, for in the end, their disputes only serve as a diversion. While they bicker and air their grievances, the real issues—the issues that affect the lives of ordinary Filipinos—are often buried beneath layers of political maneuvering. Both families have a long history of corruption, human rights abuses, and political manipulation, and it’s the people who suffer. Duterte’s war on drugs, with its countless deaths and violations of basic human rights, remains an unheeded call for justice. Marcos Jr.’s administration, while less overtly authoritarian, continues the same practices of secrecy, cronyism, and neglect that defined his predecessor’s rule. Their infighting only adds another layer of spectacle, but it’s the Filipino people who pay the price.
The people are tired. Tired of the constant distortions of history, the defense of questionable legacies, and the ever-growing list of unaddressed injustices. Duterte’s secret funds, illegal offshore gambling operations, and rampant political harassment are issues that continue to echo, even as his family members attempt to distance themselves from these past wrongdoings. Meanwhile, Marcos Jr.’s administration struggles to provide real solutions to the country’s most pressing issues, including the aftermath of devastating natural disasters, which have exposed the incompetence of both the government and its allies. In fact, the devastation caused by typhoons like Kristine and Pepito is emblematic of a much deeper issue: the collusion between local elites and corporate interests that exploit the country’s natural resources, while the local communities suffer the consequences. This is the legacy of both the Marcoses and the Dutertes—a legacy of neglect, exploitation, and injustice.
And yet, as the rift between these two political families deepens, the voices of the people grow louder, demanding one thing above all else: accountability. The demand is not for the country to simply "move on," nor is it for the apologists of either camp to defend their "masters" or justify their actions. What the people want is justice. They want answers. They want the truth.
The families of the victims of Duterte’s so-called "war on drugs" and other abuses are not alone in their cries for justice. If only they had the chance, they would confront the Dutertes themselves. They would demand accountability from those who implemented and defended the extrajudicial killings, who dismissed the pain of countless families who lost loved ones in the name of a failed policy. But it is not only their burden to bear. The call for justice extends beyond them. The International Criminal Court (ICC) stands ready to issue an arrest warrant for Duterte and his allies. The Philippines must return to the ICC, not just to hold the Dutertes accountable, but to uphold the principles of justice and human dignity that have been so flagrantly disregarded by this regime.
But the people’s demand for accountability should not stop with Duterte. The Marcos family, too, must answer for their actions—past and present. Marcos Jr. and his administration have failed to address the country’s systemic issues, from widespread poverty to environmental degradation. The country’s natural resources, including billions of dollars in mineral exports, have done little to benefit local communities. The wealth generated by these resources is siphoned off by a few elite families, while the people remain in poverty. This is not a legacy that should go unchallenged.
Both camps will undoubtedly continue to deflect, justify, and attack one another. Their supporters will continue to argue for loyalty and defend their actions. But the people are no longer fooled. They see through the charade. They understand that the infighting between the Marcoses and the Dutertes is merely a distraction, an attempt to divert attention from the real issues. It is time for both families to face the consequences of their actions. It is time for the Filipino people to hold them accountable.
Let them fight. But let the people demand justice, truth, and accountability. Enough is enough.