IN recent years, the political landscape of the Philippines has been marked by increasing tension, characterized by what many view as regressive governance practices. The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, has come under scrutiny for its alleged attempts to stifle dissent and marginalize its critics. Simultaneously, former president Rodrigo Duterte continues to play a significant role in shaping the opposition, adding a complex dynamic to the nation’s political arena.
Political harassment
Since taking office in 2022, Marcos Jr. has been accused of employing tactics reminiscent of his father’s authoritarian regime. Critics argue that his administration has been increasingly intolerant of opposition, resorting to political harassment and demolition to silence dissenting voices. This pattern of behavior has raised concerns about the state of democracy in the Philippines.
One of the most concerning examples of the Marcos regime’s ill-treatment, oppression and suppression of media outlets like SMNI (Sonshine Media Network International), religious organizations like the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), and known political figures and personalities like the Dutertes, lawyer Harry Roque and Pastor Quiboloy, all of whom have been vocal critics of the incumbent Marcos government, and have raised alarm bells about the state of democracy in the country. These incidents suggest a troubling and disturbing trend toward political harassment and character assassination, which may be symptomatic and indicative of a broader drift toward authoritarianism, threatening the foundations of democratic governance in the country.
The alignment of SMNI, KOJC, Quiboloy and Roque with the Dutertes has positioned these entities at the center of the ongoing political power struggle between the political opposition, led by former president Duterte and the Marcos regime currently in power. Both the Dutertes and Roque have been vocal critics of certain aspects of Marcos’ administration, often clashing with the government’s official narrative. The recent citation of contempt against Roque in the House of Representatives on Aug. 22, 2024, leading to his 24-hour detention, is seen by many as an attempt to stifle dissent and tighten control over political discourse. This incident highlights the growing regression in Philippine politics and the weaponization of legislative power by Marcos’ political allies in Congress.
The implications of these actions are profound. The selective targeting of media outlets and political figures who do not align fully with the administration’s narrative suggests a deliberate attempt to control the political environment. This control is exercised through both legal mechanisms, such as contempt citations, and through the strategic use of media to influence public perception.
Such actions are characteristic of a government that prioritizes its own survival and authority over the principles of democratic governance. By targeting critics and controlling the narrative, the administration is effectively undermining the checks and balances that are essential for a healthy democracy. The use of legal instruments to target political adversaries and the silencing of critical voices has no doubt created an atmosphere of fear, where criticism of the Marcos government is often met with retribution. This environment has raised alarms about the erosion of democratic institutions and the rule of law in the country, and it creates a political imbalance that threatens the democratic process. Indeed, the erosion of these checks and balances, including a free press and independent legislative branch of government, signals a move toward a more authoritarian style of governance
Duterte-led opposition: a complex counterbalance
In retrospect, at the center of the complexity of the political situation in the Philippines and the strongest counterbalance to the current Marcos regime is the role being played by former president Duterte, the rallying figure of the political opposition, who remains a formidable force in the country’s politics. Despite stepping down from the presidency in 2022, Duterte has continued to wield significant political influence among the Filipino people, especially among his supporters.
Duterte’s leadership of the opposition presents a formidable challenge to the Marcos administration. The Duterte family, particularly former president Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, represents a formidable challenge to the incumbent due to several key factors: their strong political base and grassroots support, their influence over local and national politics, and their ability to appeal to Filipino populist sentiment.
As the Marcos-Romualdez family appears to be meticulously laying the groundwork for a long-term hold on power, Sara Duterte emerges as a formidable contender in the 2028 presidential elections. Widely seen as a strong candidate, her leadership within the Duterte faction and her ability to galvanize support across various sectors make her a significant challenger to any political figure, particularly those from the Marcos-Romualdez camp. This dynamic only heightens the stakes, as the current regime sees her as a threat to their plans and seeks to undermine her ahead of the 2028 elections. Sara’s potential candidacy for the presidency in 2028 could dramatically reshape the political landscape, posing a serious challenge to the ruling family’s grip on power.
In the arena of contemporary Philippine politics, the Marcos and Duterte families are two dominant forces with overlapping yet distinct power bases. Their strategic alliance in the May 2022 elections — Marcos for president and Sara Duterte for vice president — masked underlying tensions that have since surfaced, fueled by differing approaches to key domestic policies. These growing differences are not only driving a rift between the two political families but are also reshaping the broader political landscape in the country, with their relationship souring by the day.
Moreover, the political opposition led by the former president has been outspoken in its criticism of Marcos, particularly on issues such as alleged widespread corruption, accusations against Marcos’ alleged drug addiction, the abuse of power, the Marcos government’s poor handling of critical domestic policies, including persistently high inflation, stagnant and low wages, rising crime rates, the ongoing illegal drug problem, foreign policy that is way too beholden and leaning to the United States, the war-ridden, confrontational and belligerent approach to the South China Sea dispute, particularly between the Philippines and China, and the crackdown on political critics, among others. Duterte’s stance has struck a chord and has resonated with segments of Philippine society amplifying the voices of those disillusioned with the Marcos government.
Conclusion
Is the Philippines on its way to authoritarianism?
Indeed, the patterns observed in the current political climate are concerning. The consolidation of power, suppression of dissent, abuse of power and authority, and manipulation of media are all hallmarks of authoritarian regimes. While the Philippines still maintains some democratic institutions, the gradual weakening of these institutions raises questions about the country’s future trajectory.
If these trends continue unchecked, the Philippines could be on a full-blown path toward authoritarianism, where the country’s democratic institutions are increasingly weakened by political manipulation, abuse of power and ruthless power plays. Thus, the path toward more inclusive and accountable governance appears treacherous, marked by numerous obstacles and fierce struggles, casting a shadow over the future of Philippine democracy.
Source: The Manila Times
https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/08/31/opinion/columns/regressive-politics-and-political-harassment-marcos-regime-vs-duterte-led-opposition/1967959
