In the ongoing political theater of the absurd, President Bongbong Marcos has deftly maneuvered Vice President Sara Duterte into a precarious position. With all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop (pun intended), Marcos declared that Duterte’s nonchalant “no comment” stance on China’s territorial bullying in the South China Sea is, in fact, a tacit endorsement of the administration’s approach. 

By implicating Duterte as complicit in the government’s diplomacy, Marcos has effectively painted her into a corner, forcing her to either renounce her father’s legacy or embrace the label of being anti-China—a political hot potato she’d probably rather not handle. 

It’s a classic case of political brinkmanship, where the ball is now firmly in Duterte’s court. Will she risk the wrath of her father’s supporters by denouncing Marcos’ claim, or will she swallow her pride and forever hold her peace, leaving the nation to wonder where her loyalties truly lie? 

Only time will tell in this absurd game of political chess.