TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has signaled a willingness to reconcile with the Duterte family, just one week after Vice President Sara Duterte—who is facing impeachment—outperformed expectations in a key Senate election.
Speaking on a podcast shared via his Facebook page on Monday, May 19, 2025, Marcos Jr emphasized the importance of building alliances over fostering conflict, particularly as he looks to make the most of his remaining three years in office.
The Philippine president is constitutionally limited to a single six-year term.
"Yes," Marcos responded when asked if he is open to repairing ties with the Duterte camp, following a highly publicized and intense fallout that fractured the political alliance that helped secure their 2022 election win.
"As much as possible, what I am after is stability... so that we can do our jobs. That is why I am always open to things like that," he said during the podcast.
Duterte's camp has not yet issued a response to Marcos' remarks.
Sara Duterte is currently facing an impeachment trial in the Senate, which could lead to her removal from office and a lifetime ban from holding public office, including any future presidential bid in 2028.
Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was recently elected mayor of Davao but remains detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations of crimes against humanity, stemming from the extrajudicial killings of thousands of suspected drug offenders during his administration.
Although early surveys forecast a sweeping Senate victory for Marcos' allies in the May 12 special elections, several pro-Duterte candidates secured unexpected wins, giving Sara Duterte a strategic advantage in the Senate, particularly in light of her upcoming trial.
The impeachment process will be decided by the 24-member Senate, acting as jurors. A two-thirds majority vote is required for conviction.
Marcos has maintained his distance from the proceedings, stating that the matter should proceed independently.
"There's a process for that, let's allow the process to take its course," he said.
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