The cascade of legal actions has deepened political divisions and threatens to reshape the Marcos presidency and the landscape for the 2028 elections.
Vice President Sara Duterte's arrest warrant stems from a grave threats complaint filed after she stated in a late-2024 online video that she had hired someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife. Duterte posted bail to avoid arrest and promptly called for Marcos to resign. Speaking to supporters outside a local court, she said: "You're a liar, abusive. He has no debt of gratitude to our people and everyone who went to the precincts to put him in power. He has no shame."
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a close ally of Marcos, was arrested for plunder while recovering in a hospital and later transferred to a regular jail facility. His arraignment was set for September 16.
Meanwhile, former President Rodrigo Duterte made his first trial in-court appearance at the International Criminal Court, where he has been in custody for over a year related to his administration's anti-drug campaign.
These high-profile cases continue to unfold, with potential implications not only for the current administration but also for the narratives shaping the 2028 national elections.