Survival modeIn case you missed it, there has been a shift in President Marcos’ view on the impeachment of his estranged UniTeam partner, Vice President Sara Duterte. Maybe that’s why this year’s “cleanest budget ever” still contains unprogrammed appropriations (“hard pork”) and a much-expanded pile of “soft pork” ayuda for every need that politicians can endorse for patronage. Malacañang has expressed confidence that the unprogrammed appropriations will withstand SC scrutiny. * * *Over the holidays, BBM must have had an epiphany and realized the nightmare that he and his family would face in case VP Sara wins the presidency in 2028. BBM added: “Not only the legacy of my father, but even our own survival required that somebody go into politics.”These days, with his arch foe seen as the strongest contender for the 2028 presidency, and none of his relatives and supporters looming as a credible challenger, BBM is again on survival mode.

Source: Philippine Star January 12, 2026 09:39 UTC