The simple act of cutting a ribbon in the nation’s capital, Manila, usually an unremarkable event in the cycle of political ceremonies, has unexpectedly ignited a massive political firestorm across the Philippines. When President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently inaugurated a significant public works project alongside Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, fondly known as “Yorme,” the political atmosphere immediately crackled with tension. The critical element missing from this high-profile photo opportunity was Vice President Sara Duterte, a political powerhouse who shares the highest office with the President and was once considered his closest ally. Her conspicuous absence, coupled with the prominence given to Yorme—a former presidential rival of the Marcos-Duterte UniTeam—has fueled intense public speculation: Is Vice President Duterte, and by extension, her fiercely loyal supporters known as the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS), being subtly sidelined in Manila? Is the political alliance that swept them to power officially crumbling in the heart of the national government?

This incident is more than mere gossip; it’s a critical indicator of the rapidly cooling relationship between the two most powerful families in Philippine politics. It suggests a profound shift in alliances, a strategic realignment that is shaking the very foundation of the current administration. For the millions of Filipinos who voted based on the promise of unity symbolized by the Marcos-Duterte tandem, the Manila inauguration has become a painful, public signal that the partnership may be heading towards an irreconcilable split.

The Symbolic Power of Manila: A Stage for Political Drama

Manila, as the political and financial heart of the Philippines, is more than just a city; it is the ultimate stage for showcasing political muscle and alliances. Every major event held there is scrutinized for symbolic meaning. The project inaugurated—reportedly one initiated or significantly advanced by the previous local administration—was a perfect vehicle for the President to demonstrate continuity, efficiency, and collaborative governance.

President Marcos’s decision to elevate Mayor Domagoso, the city’s incumbent, during this crucial moment is a masterful, though perhaps provocative, political move. Isko Moreno, or Yorme, ran against Marcos for the presidency in 2022, representing a key point of opposition during the last election cycle. By publicly embracing and validating Yorme’s local leadership and projects, the President sends a clear message of inclusion and cooperation that extends beyond the confines of his original UniTeam alliance.

Conversely, the absence of Vice President Sara Duterte at such a significant Manila event—a city where her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, retains considerable support—is a gaping hole in the political scenery. Protocol and political optics would normally dictate her presence, especially given the project’s public welfare impact. Her non-attendance suggests either an intentional snub by the organizers (read: the President’s inner circle) or a deliberate boycott by the Vice President herself, signaling her displeasure with the evolving political dynamic. Either way, the message to the public is one of division, not unity.

The Deterioration of the UniTeam: From Alliance to Antagonism

The seeds of this current tension were sown shortly after the 2022 elections. While the Marcos-Duterte alliance was politically formidable, it was always viewed by analysts as a marriage of convenience, uniting the powerful northern Marcos base with the equally strong southern Duterte support. The moment they secured victory, the necessity of the alliance began to wane, and the underlying political differences, personal ambitions, and conflicting loyalties started to surface.

The deterioration has been a public spectacle, unfolding in several dramatic chapters: key resignations of Duterte loyalists from the Cabinet, cryptic social media posts from both sides, and, most significantly, the highly publicized scrutiny over the Vice President’s confidential and intelligence funds (CIF). The investigation and public debate surrounding these funds, largely pushed by allies of the Marcos faction in Congress, were seen by the Duterte camp as a direct attack aimed at undermining the Vice President’s reputation and possibly neutralizing her as a contender for the 2028 presidency.

The Manila inauguration, therefore, is simply the latest, most visible manifestation of this deep-seated conflict. By standing with Yorme, Marcos is seen as strategically building bridges with figures who were once his opponents but who may now serve as useful counterweights to the powerful influence of the Duterte bloc. It’s a calculated move to demonstrate that the President’s power is not solely reliant on the DDS mandate.

The Fate of the DDS: Loyalty Tested on the National Stage

The most emotional and politically charged aspect of this controversy is the question surrounding the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS). The DDS is more than just a political fan club; it is a dedicated, often fiercely protective, base of support that views the Duterte family as the embodiment of strong, uncompromising leadership. They are a crucial component of the current administration’s electoral success.

When the President inaugurates a project with a former rival while the Vice President—the symbol of the DDS continuation—is absent, the DDS base feels insulted and marginalized. The rhetorical question being fiercely debated online—“Hindi na ba welcome sa Maynila mga DDS?” (Are the DDS no longer welcome in Manila?)—captures the acute sense of betrayal and exclusion felt by these loyal supporters.

For the DDS, Manila is being weaponized to diminish their political relevance. They perceive the embrace of Yorme as a direct repudiation of their vote and their mandate. This feeling of being unwelcome is a dangerous political development for the Marcos administration. Alienating the DDS, a highly organized and emotionally invested voting bloc, could jeopardize the administration’s political stability and its prospects in future mid-term and national elections. The loyalty of the DDS is famously uncompromising, but once broken, their political fervor can just as quickly turn into potent opposition.

Isko Moreno’s Strategic Position: The Art of the Comeback

Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, or Yorme, is an undeniable winner in this political scenario. His presence alongside the President at the inauguration places him firmly back into the national political conversation after his disappointing finish in the 2022 presidential race.

Yorme represents a different kind of political force: a charismatic, self-made local leader who appeals to the working class of Manila. By associating with him, President Marcos gains the political optics of reaching across the aisle and prioritizing administrative competence over partisan loyalty. For Yorme, the inauguration is a crucial step in his political rehabilitation. It allows him to showcase his ongoing relevance, project an image of constructive statesmanship, and position himself as a national figure capable of collaboration, perhaps even setting the stage for a future political role that bypasses the rigid dynamics of the current dominant alliances.

This new partnership, formalized by the symbolic ribbon-cutting, effectively sets up a dynamic where the Marcos-Yorme collaboration can be perceived as an alternative center of power and governance, one that stands in subtle but clear contrast to the Davao-centric influence of the Duterte family.

The Political Endgame: 2028 and Beyond

All these political maneuverings—the snubs, the alliances, the questions of loyalty—are ultimately aimed at one critical date: the 2028 presidential election.

Vice President Sara Duterte is widely seen as the heir apparent and the presumptive frontrunner for the presidency. Any attempt to undermine her now is an attempt to disrupt her path to the highest office. The constant questioning of her funds and her isolation from key presidential events like the Manila inauguration are all part of a long-term strategy designed to erode her electability and provide alternative, less threatening candidates for the Marcos faction to support in the next cycle.

The President’s actions can be viewed through the lens of political preservation. By building alternative alliances, engaging former rivals, and distancing himself from the most aggressive elements of the DDS, Marcos ensures that his own political legacy is not entirely tied to the fate of the Duterte family. Should the legal and political challenges facing the Dutertes escalate further, the President has already laid the groundwork for a transition away from the UniTeam, mitigating the political fallout for his own administration.

The Manila inauguration, seemingly a small, administrative event, has thus revealed the deep, structural cracks running through the ruling coalition. It signals the end of the seamless political unity that defined the 2022 victory and the beginning of a highly competitive, potentially volatile period of realignment. For the average Filipino, it is a disheartening confirmation that, behind the rhetoric of unity, politics remains a ruthless game of self-interest and survival, played out on the highly visible stage of the nation’s capital. The question of whether the DDS is truly “unwelcome” in Manila is simply the public’s way of expressing their fear that the promise of national unity is quickly dissolving into a bitter political rivalry.