Opposition Groups in the 20th Congress
In the 20th Congress, two distinct opposition groups have emerged, divided by their stance on Vice President Sara Duterte. One faction supports her, while the other consists of those who opposed former President Rodrigo Duterte, including notable senators like Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV.
This latter group also includes former Senator Leila De Lima and Atty. Chel Diokno, whose party-list organizations gained significant ground in the recent midterm elections. The division between these groups reflects deep political realignments within the opposition.
Understanding the Opposition Dynamics
According to political analysts, the term opposition can be ambiguous in the Philippines due to its multi-party system. Unlike countries with a clear two-party setup, where opposition means being outside the incumbent’s party, here opposition takes various shapes.
One expert explained that De Lima’s group intentionally distances itself from Duterte’s camp to maintain an independent opposition identity. “The reason perhaps why De Lima said they will be an independent opposition is because they want to veer away from the Duterte opposition,” was noted.
Political Rift After UniTeam Coalition
The split became more apparent after the breakup of the UniTeam coalition, which once united President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte. After the alliance ended, politicians loyal to Duterte began acting as opposition figures.
“Once the UniTeam broke up naririnig na natin noon pa mga Duterte-based or Duterte-loyal politicians, they started behaving like opposition,” an analyst highlighted.
Challenges to Collaboration Among Opposition
Another political science authority pointed out that Duterte’s supporters may be reluctant to cooperate with other opposition groups because of past disagreements. These tensions follow the fallout between the Marcos and Duterte camps, complicating efforts to form a unified opposition front.
Overall, the current opposition landscape in the 20th Congress shows a complex web of alliances and rivalries, shaped by shifting loyalties and political strategies.
For more updates on opposition groups in Congress, visit Filipinokami.com.