Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The political landscape of the Philippines has been rocked by a growing feud between two of its most powerful families—the Marcoses and the Dutertes. At the heart of the controversy is President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s outright rejection of a call for him to undergo a hair follicle drug test, a challenge issued by his former executive secretary, Vic Rodriguez.
The demand, which Rodriguez first raised in April 2024, came in response to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s allegations that Marcos Jr. had been using illegal drugs. The issue has since fueled speculation, intensified political rivalries, and placed the president under increased public scrutiny.
Marcos Dismisses the Drug Test as Irrelevant
Despite mounting pressure, Marcos has firmly refused to take the test, arguing that it has nothing to do with the constitutional principle that "public office is a public trust."
"Why should I? It has nothing to do with public trust," Marcos told reporters, dismissing Rodriguez’s insistence that a credible drug test would help silence critics and erase doubts about his fitness for office.
Rodriguez, who was once Marcos' trusted right-hand man, has since become a critic, frequently speaking out about the president’s leadership. His calls for a hair follicle drug test—which is known for detecting drug use over an extended period—have been widely seen as an attempt to push Marcos into a political corner.
Duterte’s Allegations and Deepfake Controversy
The controversy began in April 2024, when former President Rodrigo Duterte—now an outspoken critic of Marcos—publicly accused the president of using illegal drugs. Duterte, who built his presidency on a brutal war on drugs, has repeatedly taken jabs at Marcos, claiming that the latter's alleged drug use undermines his leadership and credibility.
Adding fuel to the fire, in July 2024, a deepfake video surfaced online, purportedly showing Marcos engaging in drug use. However, after investigation, both government agencies and independent fact-checkers debunked the video as a malicious hoax designed to discredit the president.
Despite the video being proven fake, the allegations have refused to die down, with Marcos’ political opponents using it as ammunition to question his integrity.
Marcos vs. Duterte: A Family Feud That’s Shaking Philippine Politics
The drug test controversy is just one flashpoint in the escalating battle between the Marcos and Duterte families, whose alliance once seemed unbreakable.
The tension reached its boiling point in October 2024 when Vice President Sara Duterte—daughter of Rodrigo Duterte—threatened to dig up and dispose of the remains of Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in 2016.
"If they continue attacking me, I will personally exhume his father and throw him into the sea," Sara Duterte was reported to have said.
This shocking threat marked a significant turning point in the Marcos-Duterte rift, which has been brewing since Marcos took office in 2022. Once allies, the two political dynasties are now locked in a struggle that could determine the future of Philippine politics.
What’s at Stake?
With the 2025 midterm elections approaching, the feud between Marcos and Duterte could have major political consequences. Analysts believe the fight could reshape alliances, impact governance, and influence the presidential elections in 2028.
For Marcos, the drug allegations—regardless of their veracity—remain a political liability. His refusal to take the hair follicle test is being spun by critics as an admission of guilt, while his supporters argue that he is merely refusing to engage in a politically motivated stunt.
Meanwhile, the Duterte camp is leveraging the issue to rally their base, positioning themselves as the true enforcers of law and order—a narrative that served Rodrigo Duterte well during his presidency.
Conclusion: A Nation Caught in the Crossfire
As the political drama unfolds, the Filipino people find themselves once again caught in the middle of a high-stakes power struggle. The allegations against Marcos, the deepfake controversy, and the growing hostility between the Marcos and Duterte camps highlight the fragile state of the country’s political landscape.
Whether or not Marcos takes the drug test, the issue is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. As the battle for political supremacy rages on, one thing is certain: the coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of both families—and the nation itself.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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