The Philippines in 2024: the Collapse of the UniTeam and Contest for Power of the Political Dynasties

Abstract This is that year that marked the conclusion of the “made in heaven” political contract of the Marcos-Duterte dynasties. Cracks in this unholy alliance began to show in January 2024 when Former President Rodrigo Duterte and his son, Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte, publicly criticized President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during a rally in Davao City. They tagged him as a drug addict and an incompetent president and called for his resignation. The fallout of their singularity can be attributed to the contest for power that manifested in the politicized budgetary processes and other issues like constitutional amendment and foreign policy. This article presents the two political dynasties’ struggle for power in the context of the controversies related to confidential funds, the investigation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators ( POGO ), and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program ( AKAP ). All these issues imply a contest for resources and power of political dynasties and will continue to define the 2025 political climate of the Philippines.