Marcos Jr. gains political advantage after Duterte events

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is facing a shift in perception following the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court. These events suggest a more strategic approach by Marcos than previously thought. Marcos has been seen as conflict-averse, but recent actions indicate he has been quietly consolidating power. By delaying direct confrontation, he allowed the Duterte faction to weaken before taking decisive action against them. The political landscape ahead of the 2025 elections now appears to favor Marcos, with the Duterte bloc fragmented and discredited. Marcos has managed to undermine his rivals while maintaining a facade of democratic processes, showcasing a calculated political strategy.