MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte dramatically escalated her political war with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday, September 11, calling on him to resign and accusing her former running mate of lying, abuse and failing Filipinos struggling with the country’s problems.
The explosive remarks came during a rally near the Quezon City Hall of Justice, where Duterte had been scheduled to face arraignment on criminal charges before the proceedings were postponed at the request of her legal camp.
“Umalis ka diyan,” Duterte told Marcos in a fiery speech, declaring that she could no longer remain silent while ordinary Filipinos struggled with floods, economic pressures and other hardships.
According to reports by The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philstar.com, Duterte branded Marcos the country’s “problem” and accused his administration of abuse, corruption and political harassment.
From UniTeam Partners to Bitter Political Rivals
The latest confrontation marks another dramatic chapter in the collapse of the once-powerful UniTeam alliance.
Marcos and Duterte swept the 2022 national elections as running mates, forming one of the strongest political partnerships in recent Philippine history. But their alliance later disintegrated amid growing disagreements and escalating tensions between their respective political camps.
Duterte eventually resigned from her Cabinet positions in 2024, including her post as education secretary, as the political relationship between the Marcos and Duterte camps deteriorated.
Now, the former allies are locked in an increasingly public and bitter confrontation — one complicated by Duterte’s ongoing legal battles and impeachment proceedings.
Rally Follows Postponement of Duterte’s Arraignment
Duterte’s call for Marcos to step down came after her scheduled arraignment on grave threat charges was postponed.
She has been facing three counts of grave threats in connection with allegations arising from statements she made in 2024 involving President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte has denied wrongdoing and has repeatedly argued that the cases against her are politically motivated. Earlier this month, she posted bail after a court issued an arrest order in connection with the charges. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that the case has further intensified the already deep political divide between the Marcos and Duterte camps.
Duterte Turns Spotlight on Floods and Public Hardship
During her latest speech, Duterte also invoked the struggles of ordinary Filipinos, particularly those affected by flooding and economic difficulties.
She said she could not simply remain silent while people were suffering, using the moment to connect her attack on Marcos with broader public frustrations over governance.
Her remarks came as political debates over government spending, infrastructure, flood-control projects and allegations of corruption continue to generate intense public scrutiny.
The Vice President accused Marcos of failing the country and urged her supporters to continue demanding his resignation.
Malacañang Hits Back
The Palace quickly rejected Duterte’s accusations.
In a sharp response, Malacañang questioned Duterte’s remarks and pushed back against her demand that Marcos resign. A GMA News report said Palace officials even questioned whether Duterte was in the “right state of mind” when she made the call.
The exchange signaled that neither side appears willing to de-escalate the increasingly personal political confrontation.
Other government officials also criticized Duterte’s latest attacks. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla urged the Vice President to focus her attention on what he described as real-world problems rather than escalating political accusations.
A Political Feud With Major Stakes
Duterte’s latest demand is significant because it comes at a time when the Vice President herself faces serious legal and political challenges.
Her criminal case and the continuing impeachment battle have placed Duterte at the center of one of the Philippines’ biggest political dramas. At the same time, her direct call for the President to resign has raised the stakes even higher.
The conflict is no longer simply a dispute between former allies.
It has become a full-scale political war between two of the country’s most powerful political camps — with potential consequences for the Marcos administration, Duterte’s political future and the road to the 2028 national elections.
What Happens Next?
For now, Marcos has shown no indication that he intends to step down, while Duterte appears determined to continue her public offensive.
The immediate question is whether Friday’s explosive exchange will remain a war of words — or trigger an even larger political confrontation in the coming weeks.
With Duterte facing legal challenges, an impeachment battle and an increasingly bitter feud with the President, one thing is clear:
The Marcos-Duterte political breakup has entered another dangerous and unpredictable phase — and the next move from either camp could make the crisis even bigger.
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