Duterte Slams Marcos Over ‘Silence on Corruption’ in Final SONA: A Missed Opportunity or Calculated Strategy?

Manila, Philippines – In a sharp rebuke that underscores deepening political fractures, Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte on Monday accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of failing to adequately address the issue of corruption during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered earlier in the day.

The criticism from the son of former President Rodrigo Duterte came as Marcos delivered what is widely seen as his penultimate SONA before the 2028 elections, focusing instead on touting economic gains and promising tax relief for the middle class.

The Core Complaint: A ‘Deafening Silence’

Speaking to reporters shortly after the President’s address, Rep. Duterte did not mince words. He claimed that the administration’s anti-corruption efforts were conspicuously absent from the national agenda.

“The President spoke about infrastructure, about digitalization, and about tax reform. But there was a deafening silence on the one issue that plagues every Filipino household: corruption,” Duterte stated. “He failed to address it. That is a failure of leadership.”

The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Accounts, argued that without a clear, high-level acknowledgment of the problem, public trust in government institutions would continue to erode. His remarks signal a growing rift between the Marcos and Duterte political camps, which were once allied in the 2022 elections.

What Marcos Did Say: A Focus on Legacy

President Marcos’s roughly 90-minute address, delivered before a joint session of Congress, painted a picture of a nation on the rise. Key announcements included:

• Tax Relief for the Middle Class: A proposed expansion of the tax exemption threshold and lower rates for salaried workers.
• Infrastructure Continuity: A pledge to complete major “Build Better More” projects.
• Digital Transformation: A push for full government service digitalization to reduce red tape.

While the President did mention a “continuing campaign against graft” in passing, critics like Duterte argue it lacked the urgency and specific action plans seen in previous administrations.

The Political Context: A House Divided

The clash is not merely policy-based; it is deeply political. The Duterte family’s influence in the House of Representatives has waned since the ouster of their ally, former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Rep. Paolo Duterte’s criticism is the latest in a series of public disagreements between the two powerful clans.

Analysts suggest the attack is a strategic move to position the Duterte faction as the true “anti-corruption” voice ahead of the 2028 presidential race, where a Duterte—possibly Sara Duterte—is expected to be a top contender.

“By calling out Marcos on corruption, Paolo is drawing a clear line in the sand,” said Dr. Maria Lourdes Santos, a political analyst at the University of the Philippines. “He is signaling to the public that the Marcos administration is not doing enough, while positioning the Dutertes as the alternative.”

The Middle Class Tax Relief: A Double-Edged Sword

While the President’s tax relief proposal was widely welcomed, critics question its timing. The government is already facing a tight fiscal space due to pandemic-era debt and rising subsidy costs.

• Pro: The relief could boost consumer spending and ease the burden on families earning ₱250,000 to ₱800,000 annually.
• Con: It may reduce government revenue at a time when funding for health, education, and anti-poverty programs is critical.

Rep. Duterte seized on this, arguing that without addressing corruption in tax collection and public spending, any tax relief would be “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

What This Means for the Future

The SONA is traditionally a moment for national unity. This year, it has instead highlighted the deep divisions within the ruling coalition. As the Philippines enters the final stretch of the Marcos presidency, several key questions remain:

1. Will the anti-corruption drive gain momentum? Without a clear directive from the top, agencies like the Ombudsman and COA may lack the political cover to act aggressively.
2. Can the Duterte-Marcos alliance survive? Public infighting could weaken the administration’s legislative agenda in the House.
3. Is the middle class relief enough? For many Filipinos, lower taxes mean little if public services remain inefficient and corrupt.

Conclusion: A SONA of Contrasts

President Marcos’s 2026 SONA was a speech of ambition—promising a digital, tax-friendly, and modern Philippines. But for Rep. Paolo Duterte and his allies, it was a speech of omission. The accusation of a “failure to address corruption” will likely dominate political discourse in the coming weeks.

Whether this is a genuine critique or a calculated political maneuver, one thing is clear: the battle for the narrative—and for the 2028 elections—has already begun. The President may have laid out his vision for the future, but his critics are ensuring that the ghosts of the past are not forgotten.