In a political landscape already fraught with tension and shifting alliances, a volcanic eruption of allegations has just shattered the fragile peace of the Philippine government. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a figure known for his fearless and often controversial exposés, has stepped forward with what could be the most damaging testimony against Vice President Sara Duterte to date. In a gripping interview that has sent shockwaves through social media and political circles, Trillanes laid bare what he describes as a calculated, long-term conspiracy orchestrated by the Duterte camp to undermine and eventually replace President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The allegations paint a picture not of a spur-of-the-moment conflict, but of a premeditated “Game of Thrones” style maneuver designed to seize absolute power from the very beginning of their term.

The core of Trillanes’ revelation centers on the motive behind Vice President Sara Duterte’s early decisions, specifically her request to activate the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). While publicly framed as a necessary security measure, Trillanes argues that the timing and the rationale reveal a darker intent. He points to statements allegedly made by the Vice President as early as June 2022, right after their election victory, where she supposedly anticipated a “strained relationship” with the President. For political observers, this is a smoking gun. Why would a newly elected Vice President, running on a platform of “Unity,” foresee a conflict unless there was already a plan to deviate from the administration’s path? Trillanes goes even further, citing disturbing remarks allegedly made by Sara prior to the elections, where she hinted that the vice presidency was a strategic position because “many things can happen to the President”—implying scenarios of incapacitation or worse. This, according to Trillanes, was not mere speculation but a window into a chilling strategy of succession by any means necessary.

The plot, as described by the former senator, involved securing key positions of power that would facilitate a government takeover. This explains the Vice President’s initial and fervent desire to lead the Department of National Defense (DND). Trillanes asserts that this was not out of a desire to serve the military, but to control it. By holding the DND portfolio, she would have had the armed forces within her sphere of influence, a crucial element for any destabilization attempt. President Marcos, however, seemingly sensed the danger. In a move that may have saved his presidency, he denied her the DND post and instead appointed her to the Department of Education. Trillanes suggests that this decision was the first major blow to the alleged plot, forcing the Duterte camp to recalibrate their strategy while harboring growing resentment against the President.

The narrative of betrayal deepens with Trillanes’ detailed timeline of the alleged destabilization efforts. He claims the first moves to oust President Marcos began as early as January 2023, mere months into his presidency. This covert war reportedly escalated in May 2023, coinciding with the dramatic demotion of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the House of Representatives. Trillanes connects these events, alleging that the plan was to install Arroyo as Speaker of the House, who would then facilitate an impeachment complaint against Marcos, paving the way for Sara’s ascension. When this legislative coup failed, the Vice President’s public demeanor shifted visibly, marked by her infamous “Tambaloslos” remark, which Trillanes interprets as a sign of frustration over the thwarted scheme. The subsequent “Maisog” rallies and the noise surrounding the “People’s Initiative” were characterized not as genuine grassroots movements, but as desperate attempts to rally military and public support for a leadership change.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trillanes delved into the financial skeletons allegedly hiding in the Vice President’s closet. He discussed the looming filing of a plunder case related to the controversial confidential funds, a legal move that could finally force the opening of the Duterte family’s bank accounts. Trillanes resurrected his long-standing accusations regarding the existence of joint accounts holding billions of pesos, allegedly sourced from illicit trade and “protection money” from syndicate leaders. He mentioned specific details about dividends purportedly received from known figures in the underground trade, claiming that massive withdrawals were made just before the 2016 elections to cleanse the records. These financial allegations, combined with the testimony of a new witness named Ramil Madriaga—who claims to have facilitated huge cash transfers—paint a portrait of a political dynasty fueled by questionable wealth.

Trillanes also touched upon the credibility of Ramil Madriaga, a potential star witness whose affidavit is reportedly being submitted to the Ombudsman. Madriaga’s testimony, which includes precise details about vehicle transfers and cash deliveries, corroborates the findings of recent congressional hearings. Trillanes advised the witness to remain steadfast, warning that the opposing camp would scrutinize every sentence of his statement. The emergence of such a witness, who claims to have been part of the inner circle organizing the “Inday Sara for President” movement, adds a layer of tangible evidence to what were previously just intelligence reports. It suggests that the “clamor” for Sara to run was an orchestrated operation funded by illicit money, rather than a purely organic public sentiment.

Despite the grand designs of these alleged plots, Trillanes offered an analysis of why they ultimately failed. He believes the Dutertes committed a fatal error by overestimating their influence over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and underestimating President Marcos. The Duterte camp reportedly operated under the assumption that the military’s loyalty was personal to them, rather than institutional. They expected that a single call from the former President would be enough to incite a defect. However, the military stood by the Constitution and the chain of command, ignoring the seditious calls. Furthermore, they viewed Marcos as a “weak leader” who would crumble under pressure. Instead, the administration held its ground, dismantling the coup attempts one by one.

The implications of these revelations are profound. If proven true, they suggest that the country has been sitting on a political powder keg for the last two years. The image of a unified government is completely shattered, replaced by the reality of a ruthless power struggle occurring behind closed doors. The alleged use of intelligence funds, the manipulation of military appointments, and the strategic positioning of allies all point to a shadow government operating within the legitimate one. Trillanes’ exposé challenges the public to look beyond the political drama and see the calculated machinations that have threatened the nation’s stability.

As the plunder case against the Vice President moves forward, the nation holds its breath. The opening of bank accounts could provide the definitive proof needed to substantiate these massive allegations. Trillanes, once a thorn in the side of the previous administration, has seemingly transitioned into a key figure in unraveling its secrets. His message is clear: the “drama” of the past years was a smokescreen for a power grab that failed, but the consequences of those actions are only just beginning to unravel. The coming weeks promise to be critical as the Ombudsman and the courts take center stage, potentially rewriting the history of the current political era.