For more than two years, a large section of the ruling elite has joined forces to marginalize, if not erase, the Dutertes from the Philippine political map.
The six-year presidency of Rodrigo Duterte was a nightmare for those privileged classes accustomed to entitlement. Once in a while, they may be at odds with one another. But when an outsider gatecrashes their exclusive circle, they have a way of putting aside their differences and closing ranks—as they did against the former president.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend” is a classic truism in Philippine politics.
But tactical alliances are tenuous. Once the basis for their unity disappears, they inevitably turn against one another.
Among the ruling elite, however, contradictions are often settled through elections.
So when Kiko Dee, after long refusing to call out the Marcos administration over widespread corruption because of his clique’s inordinate hatred of the Dutertes, suddenly changes costume and begins throwing punches at the present regime, it signals a break—nay, an open split—in the undeclared truce.
What is the significance of this sudden shift?
Perhaps a faction of the ruling elite has finally realized that, despite more than two years of insidious and relentless attacks against Vice President Sara Duterte, a political reality is beginning to sink in: the feisty lady could yet become the next president.
And that is something they cannot afford.
But neither can they stop her if they continue to remain on the blind side of the pervasive corruption taking place under the present regime.
The political calculus may therefore be changing.
The question is no longer simply how to defeat the Dutertes.
It may now be: Who among them will survive if the Dutertes return to power?
