When a sitting vice-president openly admits to hiring assassins to kill the president and expresses a desire to decapitate him, it’s a statement that would usually indicate a country in turmoil. Yet, in the Philippines, this level of political drama is almost a norm, with the lines between governance and theatrics often blurred. Vice-president Sara Duterte’s recent revelations have added a new chapter to the country’s vibrant and often sensational political history.

Duterte, known for her outspoken nature, made the shocking claim on her Facebook page, recounting a conversation where she reportedly instructed someone to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event of her death. “No joke. No joke,” she emphasized, underscoring the gravity of her statement. Such comments, even in jest, would be unthinkable in most political contexts, but they’ve set the stage for what appears to be a bitter and personal political feud.

The animosity between Duterte and Marcos has been simmering for months. Last month, Duterte described her relationship with Marcos as "toxic" and went as far as to say she dreamed of severing his head. Adding fuel to the fire, she even threatened to exhume the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s remains from the Heroes’ Cemetery in Manila and dispose of them in the sea—an act that would deeply offend the Marcos family and their supporters.

At the heart of this discord is the collapse of what was once a formidable political alliance. The partnership between the Duterte and Marcos families had been instrumental in securing their respective political victories, with Sara Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, previously serving as a key ally to the Marcos dynasty. However, the alliance has now unraveled spectacularly, with public feuds replacing political cooperation.

This dramatic fallout raises questions about the stability of the administration and the future of Philippine politics. While the vice-president’s remarks have shocked many, they also highlight the country’s unique political culture, where high-stakes power plays often come with a heavy dose of personal vendettas and theatrical displays. For now, the nation watches as this bitter feud unfolds, further adding to the Philippines’ storied history of political drama.

Disclaimer:This image is taken from Getty Images.