Marcos, Duterte supporters rally in Philippines as rift deepens between ‘Unity Team’

Rival rallies in Manila highlight the deepening rift between the Marcos and Duterte families ahead of upcoming elections.

Thousands of supporters of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte gathered for rival rallies on Sunday, putting on a public display of a deepening rift between the powerful clans.

In the nearly two years since Mr. Marcos swept to victory with the help of his vice presidential running mate Sara Duterte — the former President’s daughter — their so-called “Unity Team” has fractured.

As thousands of flag-waving people massed at a seaside park in the capital Manila hours ahead of an early evening rally headlined by the President, his predecessor’s youngest son Sebastian Duterte was openly daring Mr. Marcos to step down.

“If you don’t show love and aspiration for the country, better resign,” Mr. Sebastian Duterte told supporters in his family’s southern stronghold of Davao, blaming Mr. Marcos for the drug and communist insurgency problems in the region.

His sister, Ms. Sara Duterte, briefly appeared at the Marcos rally in Manila, saying the Education Department that she also heads was “one with all the other government agencies in pushing for a New Philippines”.

Afterwards, she attended the Davao rally where she addressed a smaller crowd of Duterte fans.

Relations between the families have deteriorated as they seek to shore up their respective support bases and secure key positions ahead of next year’s mid-term elections and the 2028 presidential race, which Ms. Sara Duterte is widely expected to contest.