In a dramatic turn of events, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte launched a scathing attack on his former political ally and successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Duterte, known for his strong language, accused Marcos Jr of being a drug addict during a heated speech on Sunday. This accusation comes amidst mounting tensions and cracks in their alliance.

During his speech, Duterte alleged that Marcos Jr's allies were attempting to remove constitutional term limits to extend their grip on power. Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte, ran alongside Marcos Jr in the 2022 election and now serves as his vice-president. However, strains in their partnership have become evident, leading to speculation about the future of their alliance.

Responding to Duterte's remarks, Marcos Jr suggested that the former president's judgment may have been impaired due to the drug fentanyl, which Duterte has admitted using for pain relief. Marcos Jr claimed that after years of use, the drug had begun to affect Duterte. However, he did not provide any evidence to support this assertion.

Duterte warned Marcos Jr against pursuing changes to the constitution, citing the ousting of his father, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr, as a cautionary tale. The late dictator ruled the Philippines for over two decades until he was peacefully removed from power by the People Power Revolution in 1986. The 1987 constitution introduced term limits as a safeguard against future dictatorships.

Marcos Jr has advocated for constitutional amendments to promote foreign investment. However, Duterte accused his allies of bribing local officials to remove term limit rules, without presenting any evidence to substantiate his claim. Duterte further accused Marcos Jr of drug use, labeling him "a drug addict for a president," though these allegations have not been confirmed.

In a separate incident, Duterte's son and Davao City mayor called for Marcos Jr's resignation, citing his foreign policy stance and alleged responsibility for rising criminality. This further underscores the strained relations between the two families.

The Duterte-Marcos Jr alliance has also been impacted by reports of investigators from the International Criminal Court (ICC) visiting the Philippines to probe Duterte's controversial war on drugs. Marcos Jr has refused to cooperate with the court, adding to the mounting tensions between the families.

Speculation is rife that Sara Duterte, currently the vice-president, may contest the presidential race in 2028, potentially setting the two families on a collision course. Marcos Jr has pursued a divergent foreign policy compared to Duterte, taking a tougher stance against China in the disputed South China Sea and strengthening ties with the United States.

As the political rift between Duterte and Marcos Jr intensifies, the future of the partnership remains uncertain. The accusations of drug use and attempts to cling to power only serve to exacerbate the already strained relations between the two influential political families in the Philippines.