Will Dutertes’ Philippine Senate ambitions threaten Marcos Jnr or is it just a media stunt?

Analysts say the announcement should be treated cautiously since it could be part of a strategy meant to gauge the Duterte clan’s political strength as they prepare to challenge President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and his family’s dynasty.

Duterte-Carpio confirmed on Tuesday that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and brothers, Congressman Paolo Duterte and Davao City mayor Sebastian Duterte, were “all raring to run”.

“Three Dutertes will be running next year. That’s confirmed,” she said during an event in the Office of the Vice-President, while also hinting at her own possible return to the mayorship of Davao City, her family’s hometown and bailiwick.

However, political analysts note that such declarations are typical of the Dutertes, who have previously announced candidacies for certain posts without following through.

Duterte announced a Senate bid for the 2022 election, months before his presidential term ended, but reportedly withdrew his candidacy in December 2021.

Similarly, while he was mayor of Davao City, Duterte for months denied reports he was contesting the 2016 presidential election, until his long-time aide Bong Go filed a certificate of candidacy on his behalf in October 2015.

Duterte-Carpio’s announcement that her father and brothers are seeking Senate seats should “neither be dismissed nor taken seriously”, according to Gary Ador Dionisio, dean of the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance.

“Knowing the family’s history, what is consistent with them is their inconsistency in terms of policy statements,” Dionisio said.

Athena Charanne Presto, a sociologist from the University of the Philippines, said the announcement was a media stunt “to communicate that they’re still