The Hidden War Within Philippine Politics: Neutrality, Betrayal, or Strategy?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Philippine politics has always been a battlefield of shifting loyalties, fragile coalitions, and sudden betrayals. Yet in the noisy tug-of-war between Marcos and Duterte camps, another narrative is quietly taking shape—one that accuses reformist mayors like Baguio’s Benjamin Magalong and Pasig’s Vico Sotto of playing both sides.

A recent opinion piece paints them as “pretend pro-Duterte” leaders, accused of riding on the Duterte narrative while courting kakampink sympathies to create a “new opposition.” The analysis is dramatic, yes—but how much of it truly holds water?

The Myth of the Opposition Vote Ceiling

It is true that the opposition, particularly the Liberal Party, has struggled to break past the 14–16 million ceiling since 2016. Robredo, Hontiveros, and Pangilinan were stuck in that range. The lone outlier was Bam Aquino, who pulled 20 million votes in 2019.

But to attribute Bam’s success solely to “distancing from LP” is a half-truth. The real factors? His authorship of the Free Tertiary Education Act, his youthful appeal, and the critical endorsement of Iglesia ni Cristo—a bloc vote that can swing millions. Yes, Aquino ran under a new banner, but his victory was not merely a rejection of LP.

Silence Does Not Always Mean Betrayal

The heart of the critique is that Magalong and Vico were “silent” when the Dutertes were under fire: from Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds issue, to PRRD’s Hague detention, to Baste and Pulong’s political struggles.

This silence is factual—but interpreting it as treachery is misleading. In Philippine politics, neutrality is often a survival strategy. Mayors focused on governance rarely wade into bloody national feuds unless it directly affects their city. Silence, in their case, was not siding with Marcos nor rejecting Duterte—it was self-preservation and political pragmatism.

The Populist Branding Game

Where the article does score a point is in noting that both Magalong and Vico are building national visibility. Flood control projects, anti-corruption exposés, and “good governance” branding are classic tools to broaden appeal. These mayors know 2028 is around the corner, and their media mileage is no accident.

But here’s the distinction: their platform is not built on fakery. Both have solid local track records. Magalong’s fight against corruption in Baguio and Vico’s modernization of Pasig governance predate the current Marcos–Duterte rift. To call them opportunists ignores their years of groundwork.

The Misplaced Parallels

The article drags Risa Hontiveros into the conversation, framing her as someone who “used Duterte” before betraying him. This is simply false. Risa never aligned herself with Duterte; she consistently opposed his drug war and defended human rights. The narrative of “betrayal” is revisionist storytelling designed to fuel distrust.

Similarly, linking Vico to Tito Sotto’s push for Sara Duterte’s impeachment is weak guilt-by-association. Vico has repeatedly charted his own political path, often diverging from his influential family’s positions.

Who is the Real Threat to Marcos?

On one point, the analysis is right: Marcos Jr. sees the Dutertes as his bigger threat, not the fragmented opposition. That explains why Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds, PRRD’s Hague detention, and demolition jobs against Pulong and Baste dominate the headlines.

But to say that Magalong and Vico are “fake allies” sent to divide the Duterte base is speculative at best. Their silence, their branding, their projects—they are positioning themselves not as puppets, but as alternatives.

The Bigger Picture: A Nation Hungry for Alternatives

The real danger is not whether Magalong or Vico betray Duterte. The real danger is that we reduce every reformist voice into a pawn of either Marcos or Duterte. That framing blinds us to the possibility that Filipinos, especially Gen Z and young professionals, may be looking for something new—leaders who reject dynastic wars and focus on governance.

History shows us that the electorate can shift when a candidate offers clarity and conviction. Bam Aquino’s free education campaign proved that. If Magalong or Vico can carry a similar, unifying message, they could break the so-called ceiling—not by fakery, but by offering a genuine third path.

Conclusion

The Duterte base is right to remain vigilant. Betrayal is a common currency in Philippine politics. But we must also be careful not to mistake silence for conspiracy, or reformist governance for fakery.

The Marcos-Duterte rivalry is tearing Philippine politics into two poles. Yet perhaps the real story is not about who betrays whom—but about who dares to stand outside the feud, and whether Filipinos will rally behind them.

And if the likes of Magalong and Vico succeed in bridging divides, then the country may finally see a leader who is not “pretend pro-Duterte” or “cozy kakampink,” but something far more dangerous to the old order: a true alternative.

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