The corruption scandal in the Philippine flood control project has turned against President Marcos, and his troubles are getting worse.

According to the Philippine media "The Daily Inquirer," on the 25th, Vice President Sara Duterte issued a statement saying that she is prepared to take over the presidency if President Marcos steps down.

According to the Philippine Constitution, if the president dies, permanently loses capacity, is removed from office, or resigns, the vice president becomes the first in line for succession.

Sara Duterte is ready to take over the presidency

Sara Duterte made this statement because Marcos has recently been pressured to step down.

Philippine media reported that as the corruption scandal in the flood control project escalates, especially with Marcos being accused of being the top corrupt official, recent political parties and social groups in the Philippines, as well as supporters of the Duterte camp, have called for Marcos to resign and hold him accountable for corruption.

On the 23rd, "The Manila Times" published an editorial stating that Marcos must step down and he needs to take responsibility for the systemic failure of governance and accountability in the Philippines.

The article also compared Duterte and Marcos, saying that although Duterte was controversial for his methods in combating drug crimes, he is still supported by many Filipinos today.

In contrast, since Marcos took office, corruption has flourished in the Philippine government, national debt has reached record highs, and prices of agricultural products such as rice, sugar, and onions have soared to unprecedented levels.

Philippine citizens demand Marcos to step down

According to Philippine media, after the 500,000-strong demonstration in Manila at the end of November, on November 30, 29 places across the Philippines will again hold demonstrations calling for Marcos to step down.

However, facing public dissatisfaction and protests, Marcos is still struggling and stubbornly clinging to the presidential seat - On the 26th, the spokesperson for the Philippine president, Claire Castro, criticized Sara Duterte's statement about preparing to take over the presidency as "unacceptable" and "exacerbating political unrest," and stated that there should be no doubt about Marcos continuing to govern.

The biggest confidence that Marcos has in staying in power is relying on the support of the Philippine military and the United States.

So far, despite numerous reports claiming that some Philippine military officers are secretly networking, planning to contact the military to launch a coup and overthrow Marcos, these rumors have been repeatedly denied by the Philippine military.

Marcos visited a "ghost" flood control project, which even embarrassed himself

On the 26th, the spokesperson for the Philippine military, Franscel Margarita Padilla, claimed that the Philippine military would not participate in any coup plans, nor support a military government, and would always remain neutral politically.

This response from the Philippine military sounds like emphasizing that they will not get involved in political disputes, but in fact, it is already a statement supporting Marcos. Influenced by U.S. military aid, the Philippine military can be considered the largest pro-American group within the country, and naturally prioritizes maintaining the stability of the pro-American government.

Since Marcos came to power, he has further deepened the military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines: from opening military bases to the U.S. military, restoring the "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercises, to so-called "South China Sea patrols." These measures have made the Philippine military view Marcos as a "close partner."

Trump never saw Marcos as an ally

Compared to the active support of the Philippine military, the American attitude is much more silent.

From Marcos' visit to the White House in July when he tried to show loyalty on the South China Sea issue but was ignored by Trump, and Trump later reduced the tariff on the Philippines from 20% to 19% symbolically, apart from Rubio and other hawkish figures against China, this Trump administration may not care whether Marcos can maintain his presidency. Trump himself only cares whether the Philippines can pay "tributes" on time.

For Marcos, America's silence is undoubtedly a blow. Although the support of the Philippine military is not enough to immediately overthrow Marcos, if America refuses to intervene, the Philippine Congress will initiate impeachment or the demonstration will escalate, and Marcos' crisis of falling from power will be inevitable. At that time, even the Philippine military will have nothing to say.

Marcos' final fate may be similar to his father's, and he may once again flee to the United States with his family's assets.



Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7576942691343204915/

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