Weird theatrics

By Artchil B. Fernandez

A bizarre spectacle unfolded last week, shocking or amusing the audience depending on their political stance. Vice President Sara Duterte held a press conference, unleashing a torrent of sentiments that overwhelmed the media.

For two hours, Inday Sara ranted in what seemed like an emotional meltdown, reminiscent of her father’s midnight speeches during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like her father, who often went off-topic during those talks, Inday Sara’s outburst left many wondering if it was desperation or an act of defiance.

What likely triggered Sara Duterte’s outburst is the ongoing pressure from the current administration. Congress has relentlessly investigated her use of public funds as vice president and former education secretary. The hearings on her alleged misuse of taxpayer money show no sign of letting up.

Frustrated, Sara Duterte struck back at the administration with a “tell-all” press briefing. In her unusual performance, she openly criticized President Bongbong Marcos (BBM) and the Marcos family.

“The country is on the road to hell,” Inday Sara declared, accusing BBM of not knowing how to be president. Recalling their campaign, she claimed she never heard him discuss plans for the country, except for his slogan “babangon tayo sabay-sabay” (together we will rise). She lashed out, calling him clueless about leading the Filipino people.

Sara Duterte also revealed that the Marcos family persuaded her to be BBM’s running mate because they could not win in Mindanao and Visayas without her. She lamented that the Marcoses used her solely to defeat Leni Robredo, expressing regret over being manipulated for their political goals.

In addition, Inday Sara emphasized that she and BBM were never truly friends, as she had hinted in previous statements. She said their relationship became toxic before their official fallout, citing an incident where BBM refused to give his watch to a graduate during a ceremony. She even admitted imagining beheading him for this.

A combative Sara Duterte then warned the Marcos family that if they continued attacking her, she would retaliate personally. “I told Senator Imee (Marcos), if you don’t stop, I will dig up your father’s grave and throw him into the West Philippine Sea. One of these days, I will really go there and get his body,” she threatened.

When asked to rate BBM’s performance as president, with ten being the highest, she gave him a one. She also sarcastically announced that her office’s new tagline would be “drag me to hell,” a clear dig at BBM.

Inday Sara’s strange behavior was not spontaneous. It appeared to be a calculated “intentional meltdown,” aimed at regaining political points and shifting the narrative against the administration. She seemed to be positioning herself as a victim of the Marcoses to garner public sympathy and reverse the decline in her trust and performance ratings, as reflected in recent surveys. The spectacle was a political move to regain influence in the national discourse and repair her damaged image.

However, did Inday Sara achieve her goal with this bizarre stunt? Playing the victim may not be a successful strategy. Her claims of being deceived by the Marcoses seem far-fetched and could backfire.

The Marcoses are notorious for deception and manipulation. Their 20-year rule is well-documented, scrutinized by academics and scholars. It’s ironic that Inday Sara’s own grandmother led protests against the Marcos dictatorship in Davao City. For Inday Sara to act unaware of this history smacks of hypocrisy.

Was she really used by the Marcoses to return to power? Her complaint seems hollow. The Duterte family has been involved in politics for decades, fully aware that politics revolves around advancing personal interests. Didn’t Sara Duterte also use the Marcoses for her own political gain? She wasn’t a clueless, naive victim dragged into a political alliance with BBM. She was a willing participant. Her rant appears disingenuous and insincere.

As for her threat to dig up the dictator’s remains and dump them in the West Philippine Sea, many Filipinos can only shake their heads. After all, wasn’t it her father’s administration that allowed the burial of the dictator in that revered site? Karma, perhaps, at its finest.

Beyond Sara Duterte’s childish outbursts, there’s a real possibility that the national conversation in the coming years will be dominated by personal insults and gutter politics between the Duterte and Marcos families. Vital national issues—such as the increasing poverty rate, soaring inflation, the alarming number of functionally illiterate students, the crumbling healthcare system, and the millions of Filipinos who lack access to essential social services—are being drowned out by these bitter exchanges.

Also lost in the noise is the crucial issue of accountability and transparency. The public deserves answers from Inday Sara regarding how she spent the PHP125 million in confidential funds and the Department of Education’s budget during her tenure. Instead, she dodged these issues with a theatrical press conference.

Do not be deceived by the performative politics of the Dutertes and the Marcoses.  These two dynastic families are part of the problem and getting rid of them is part of the solution to what ails the nation.