Marcos siblings at loggerheads over Duterte arrest: What the media is not saying

Gulf News

05-05-2025

Manila: Senator Imee Marcos is urging the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate and potentially prosecute Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and several other top officials allegedly involved in the surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The eldest sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Imee (full name Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios Romualdez Marcos), currently chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
President Marcos has signed off the arrest of Duterte in Manila and gave his nod to transfer the former president to The Hague.
On Friday (May 2) she announced that she had officially submitted her committee's report to the Ombudsman, citing evidence that points to possible criminal and administrative violations committed by key government figures.
'During the course of the Senate inquiry, the Committee on Foreign Relations uncovered acts by high-ranking government officials which very likely constitute criminal and administrative offenses,' said Marcos.
'Thus, I am requesting that these officials, all of whom are named in the report, be investigated, and where appropriate, prosecuted and/or sanctioned in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations,' she added.
President rejects sister's findings
President Marcos has previosly rejected the findings of the Senate report led by Imee which claimed that the arrest of Duterte was "politically motivated" and intended to undermine him and Vice President Sara Duterte.
'Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I disagree,' the President told reporters on April 30. He said Duterte's arrest was neither a political attack nor a breach of Philippine sovereignty.
'We followed every single necessary procedure – the very good basis on which to serve that warrant and to read him his rights… So I'm confident that in further examination, you will find that it is proper and correct,' he told reporters during a late-night press conference at Malacañang.
Marcos cited that the complaints against Duterte were filed in 2017, long before he assumed office in 2022.
'I don't see how that can be political persecution on my part because... it was initiated before I even came into the picture... I was still a civilian then,' he said.
The president said the Philippines did not grant any request from the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding Duterte's drug war, but Marcos said the country could not ignore the request of the International Criminal Police Organsation (Interpol) to surrender the former president.
For her part, Senator Imee Marcos' report detailed the following officials and their alleged liabilities:
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
Marcos stated that Remulla may be liable for usurpation of judicial functions under Article 241 of the Revised Penal Code and may have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. She also noted there is 'reason to believe' that Remulla committed Grave Misconduct and acts Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
Police General Nicolas Torre III
According to the report, there is basis to hold the police general accountable for Arbitrary Detention, Grave Threats under Article 282, and the administrative charges of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil
Marcos said that based on the hearings, there are "reasonable grounds" to charge the Philippine National Police chief with Arbitrary Detention as well as administrative offenses including Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla
The DILG secretary, and brother of Justice Secretary Remulla, was also cited by Marcos for possible criminal liability under the Anti-Graft Law and for Arbitrary Detention. She further asserted that he should be held administratively liable for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao
Imee alleged that Lacanilao committed Usurpation of Official Functions, gave False Testimony, and committed Perjury in Solemn Affirmation. She also cited him for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
What the media isn't saying
Much of the mainstream coverage has painted the rift as a simple disagreement between siblings.
But behind the scenes, it signals a fracturing of the Marcos-Duterte alliance that helped deliver a landslide victory in 2022.
The arrest was not just a legal move — but part of a calculated strategy seen as a way to weaken Duterte's influence, especially in Mindanao.
Political equation
The Marcoses dominate the vote-rich Ilocos region, while the Dutertes have both Visayas and Mindanao as their political bailiwicks.
Analysts say this internal conflict may also affect candidate alignments for the 2025 Senate and congressional races. Imee is currently running as an independent, apart from the Marcos administration canditates.
In the runup to May 12 mid-term polls, there are 12 lots open for Senator.
A PulseAsia Research survey taken from April 202-24, 2025 shows Imee does not form part of the "Magic 12". She ranks between 14 to 18, just below boxer and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and directly competing with actor Phillip Salvador, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and former local government secretary Benhur Abalos.
Imee, who orchestrated the Marcos-Duterte alliance that staged a landslide victory in 2022, is also trying to win the Mindanao votes.
Vice President Sara Duterte, who has endorsed Imee's senatorial campaign, remains a strong potential 2028 presidential contender.
The road ahead
As the May 12 vote approaches, the nuances surrounding the rift within the Marcos family and its implications for the any possibility of a coalition between the top political clans from Mindanao will become more critical.
Whether this division deepens or is patched over may determine not just the fate of the Marcos presidency, but the entire shape of Philippine politics in the post-Duterte era.
In the meantime, the short-term geopolitical and strategic underpinnings of this feud remains.
The current Marcos administration's increasing cooperation with the United States — a major shift from Duterte's China-friendly foreign policy — has not sat well with Duterte loyalists.
The arrest, critics argue, is symbolic of the broader 'de-Dutertization' of government institutions. The media has largely downplayed this narrative.