Former President Duterte and family to run for Senate in the upcoming mid-term elections

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his controversial leadership, has announced his intention to run for the Senate in the upcoming mid-term elections. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, revealed that she and her two brothers also plan to run for political positions. Sara Duterte, who previously served as mayor of Davao city, aims to return to her family's political stronghold. The Duterte family's alliance with Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of an ousted dictator, has raised concerns among human rights activists due to their authoritarian backgrounds. The political unity ticket between Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr. faced challenges recently, with Sara resigning from her posts as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body. This move signaled growing differences between the two allies, particularly regarding the administration's handling of territorial disputes with Beijing. Rodrigo Duterte accused Marcos Jr.'s allies of attempting to amend the constitution to lift term limits, sparking tensions between the two camps. While Marcos Jr. has been critical of China's actions in the South China Sea, Sara Duterte's father cultivated close ties with Chinese and Russian leaders during his presidency. Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022, has shifted focus from Duterte's violent drug crackdown to rehabilitation efforts. Duterte, facing allegations of crimes against humanity for the drug war, accused Marcos Jr. of being a drug addict, a claim the incumbent president denied. The political landscape in the Philippines is evolving as these key figures navigate complex relationships and policy shifts.