Sara Duterte’s Downfall: A Front-Row Seat to Political Chaos

OPINION

Sara Duterte’s leadership is a study in contradictions. Loud, confrontational, and often poorly thought out, her actions show a leader more focused on self-preservation than on public service. Over the years, her behavior has followed a clear pattern of disregarding protocols, disrespecting institutions, and creating unnecessary chaos.

From physically assaulting a sheriff as mayor of Davao City to her globally broadcast press conference threatening assassination, Duterte’s actions have consistently revealed a troubling disregard for the responsibilities that come with leadership.

Bullying as Power

Bullying has always been central to Duterte’s playbook. In 2011, while serving as mayor of Davao City, she made headlines for punching a court sheriff who was executing a lawful demolition order. This wasn’t just an outburst of anger—it was a deliberate show of dominance. It sent a clear message: she believed her authority trumped the rule of law.

That attitude has only grown louder since she became Vice President. Her disdain isn’t limited to individuals like France Castro or Risa Hontiveros, whom she has publicly attacked. It extends to the institutions they represent. Congress, the Senate, and even her own government’s processes have been treated as obstacles rather than pillars of democracy.

Most recently, she attempted to bypass protocols in Congress by staying overnight in the House of Representatives to accompany her detained chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who had been cited for contempt. While the act may have seemed loyal on the surface, it displayed a complete disregard for established procedures. Her actions weren’t just inappropriate—they were a direct challenge to the rules meant to preserve order and fairness.

The problem with leaders like Sara Duterte is that they seem to think they can act without consequence. As a friend once said, “The Dutertes haven’t been punched in the face for disrespecting people.” And that’s the crux of it: without real accountability, entitlement festers. Leaders like her keep pushing the limits because no one has ever stood up to them in a way that makes them feel the repercussions of their actions.

Manipulation: The Victim Act

When bullying doesn’t work, Duterte pivots to manipulation. And her preferred method? Playing the victim.

Take her behavior during investigations. Sitting alone on her side of the panel while being questioned, she tries to make it seem as though she’s being unfairly targeted. It’s a calculated move, designed to appear “kawawa.” But it’s not working. People see through it.

Her press conferences follow the same script. Damaging revelations emerge from the Quad Committee investigation, and suddenly, she’s on air, trying to rile up supporters with self-deprecating remarks or emotional appeals. For clarity, self-deprecating means making yourself look small or humble, often to shift focus from a bigger issue. But in Duterte’s case, it feels forced—an act, not an apology.

And it’s failing. The only people still buying it are her most gullible supporters, who are now few and far between.

Ad Hominem: Cheap Shots and Loud Words

Instead of addressing real issues, Duterte resorts to insults. Castro and Hontiveros are dismissed with personal attacks rather than counterarguments. It’s a classic tactic of deflection, meant to shift attention from her own shortcomings.

Even here, her approach is wearing thin. Political analysts aren’t letting her off the hook. They dissect her words, expose her strategies, and highlight her failures. And because they aren’t aligned with her, their critiques carry weight. Each attack she launches only reinforces the perception that she’s unfit for the role.

Subtle Tactics Don’t Suit Loud Leaders

It’s clear Duterte is getting bad advice. Whoever told her that subtlety would work doesn’t understand her image. Sitting alone in panels to look oppressed, giving self-deprecating press conferences, and trying to tug at public sympathy—it’s all wrong for someone like her.

Subtlety works for leaders who are soft-spoken or known for being diplomatic. For someone loud, brash, and confrontational, these tactics only highlight the disconnect between the image she’s trying to sell and the person she actually is. The more she talks, the more damage she does—to herself and to the office she holds.

Global Impact

The assassination threat wasn’t just another Duterte blunder. It was a global embarrassment. Broadcast worldwide, it showcased a Vice President threatening the President and his allies—a government at war with itself.

For investors, it’s a neon warning sign. Stability is key to attracting foreign investments, and Sara Duterte’s instability is a liability. Who would pour resources into a country where its second-highest leader threatens violence against its highest? These aren’t just political fireworks—they’re a signal of chaos that scares away money and opportunity.

A Decline from Rodrigo to Sara

Sara Duterte’s leadership invites inevitable comparisons to her father, Rodrigo Duterte. His presidency had its fair share of controversy—ranging from human rights violations to his combative approach to governance. But despite his many flaws, Rodrigo had a way of keeping his supporters loyal. He projected an image of strength, and this kept him politically afloat.

Sara, however, struggles to follow that path. She tries to adopt the same aggressive style, but it doesn’t work the same way. Where Rodrigo projected control, Sara comes across as messy and inconsistent. Her loud statements and attempts to play the victim only make her look unprepared and out of touch.

Her approach amplifies her weaknesses instead of hiding them. Every press conference, every poorly thought-out decision becomes another example of how unfit she is for the role. If her father’s leadership created cracks in the country’s political foundation, Sara’s leadership is turning those cracks into chasms.

The Reflection: A Pattern of Self-Destruction

If there’s a perfect example of a leader undoing themselves, it’s Sara Duterte.

She’s loud when she should be thoughtful, evasive when she should be accountable, and manipulative when she should be honest. As Vice President, she’s been useless for the Filipino people. Her actions haven’t advanced the nation—they’ve dragged it down. But in the realm of terrible leadership, she is currently unmatched.

Her pattern of self-destruction is clear. From the punching incident in Davao to her complete disregard for legislative protocols, from her insults to political figures to her globally broadcast assassination threat, Sara Duterte has systematically dismantled her own credibility. Every press conference, every poor decision, and every attack on critics digs her deeper into a hole of her own making.

What’s ironic is that Sara Duterte’s actions are making Bongbong Marcos look competent. I don’t consider Marcos Jr. a great leader. Far from it. There are numerous issues with his management style and leadership decisions. But compared to the wake of damage and poor leadership on display from Sara Duterte? Bongbong looks like a hero.

Rodrigo Duterte set the bar low during his presidency. His governance relied on brute force and fear, often criticized for its lack of accountability and disregard for democratic principles. But Sara has managed to set an even lower standard. Her actions not only reflect poorly on her but unintentionally make both Bongbong Marcos and even her father seem more capable by comparison.

At this point, Duterte is what Filipinos call, “nagkakalat na lang.” Apart from “walang silbi para sa Pilipino at sa Pilipinas,” she is now an object lesson in self-sabotage. She probably thinks that Marcos and her political enemies are out to destroy her. But the truth is, she doesn’t need anyone to do that. She’s doing it all on her own with her press conferences, statements, and decisions.

Her pattern is painfully predictable, and those who dislike her don’t even have to lift a finger. They’re sitting back, feet up, popcorn in hand, watching her unravel on national television. What makes it worse is that this isn’t just about Sara Duterte—it’s about the damage she continues to do to the institutions she disrespects and the country she claims to serve.

Sara Duterte’s actions are the clearest warning of what leadership should never be. Her legacy, if one can even call it that, will be remembered as a series of blunders that showcased exactly how a leader can destroy themselves—and harm their country in the process.