Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 75% complete by Raissa RoblesJanuary 17, 2026 at 01:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

In 2026, the Philippines faces significant political instability due to a growing power struggle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte. Duterte's high approval and trust ratings position her as a strong contender for the 2028 presidential election, which Marcos appears intent on preventing. This clash, described as the Philippines' "hour of danger," threatens to destabilize the economy, divide the military, and disrupt regional diplomacy within ASEAN. Both Marcos and Duterte face potential impeachment, prosecution, and even military intervention as tensions escalate. The situation is further complicated by a weakening economy, shifting political alliances, and the potential for natural disasters.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Manila 30% Jonathan Ravelas 40% Asean 40% Edgar Erice 50% Philippines ×280% Ferdinand Marcos Jnr ×390% Sara Duterte ×390%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.60

Source Transparency

Source

South China Morning Post

Political Lean

Center-Right (0.50)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).