Political positions of Sara Duterte

AI, troll farms, and fake news

Duterte sees nothing wrong with the usage of AI, especially when used politically in her favor.^[1] When asked about her views on the proposed controversial AI hub, Pax Silica, she responded that she has no clue about it.^[2]

She has also appealed to the public about "troll farms" operating against her,^[3] however, verified news have also confirmed that the Duterte family itself operates their own troll farms to establish themselves in government and attack their enemies.^[4][5][6] Reports also note that Duterte trolls have been funded previously by China, a political ally of the Duterte family.^[7][6]

She has appealed before to stop spreading fake news,^[8] although she herself has previously been accused of indulging in fake news.^[9] Fact-checkers and experts have pointed out Duterte's pathological lying.^[10]

Moro conflict

After the Mamasapano clash between the Special Action Force (SAF) and Jemaah Islamiyah occurred in 2015 that led to the deaths of 44 SAF members, Duterte had her profile pictures on Facebook and Instagram set to memorial images that read: "Rest in peace SAF 44", which lasted up to 2022.^[11][12][13]

Communist conflict

Duterte opposes government peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). After the Marcos administration agreed to resume peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF, in December 2023, she called the peace talks "a pact with the devil", warning that the communist rebels were insincere in reaching a settlement with the government.^[14]

Federalism

Duterte expressed her opposition to federalism during her reelection campaign for Davao City mayor in 2019, stating that it would further empower "local warlords" in Mindanao and "worsen [the] situation". However, she added that instituting federalism remains to be a decision of Congress and the president.^[15]

Apollo Quiboloy

Duterte has expressed support for religious leader and her father's ally, Apollo Quiboloy, who had been indicted by the FBI, sanctioned by the U.S. Magnitsky Act, and is the subject of various probes by the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives over allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking, among other things.^[16][17] Duterte stated that the probes conducted by the Philippine Congress were "unjust" and "violent", and deprived Quiboloy of due process.^[18] Following the serving of arrest warrants of Quiboloy in June 2024, Duterte called for a just and humane law enforcement following what she described as the use of excessive force by the police.^[19][20] On August 25, 2024, she condemned the "gross abuse of police power" involved in the Philippine National Police (PNP) executing an arrest warrant against Quiboloy at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City. She also expressed her regret in encouraging KOJC adherents to support her 2022 running mate, Bongbong Marcos.^[21] On August 30, 2024, Duterte visited the wake of a KOJC member who died from a heart attack while manning a watchtower during the first day of the police raid.^[22] Two days later, Duterte attended the KOJC's 39th anniversary event at the compound where she reiterated her support for the church organization and apology for supporting Marcos.^[23]

South China Sea dispute

Duterte has been noted for not issuing explicit statements on the dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. She has declined to comment on the matter, instead deferring people to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense when queried on such matters.^[24][25] For this, she received criticism by some officials, including by allies of Marcos in the House of Representatives^[26][27] and Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela.^[28][29] However, Marcos defended Duterte, stating that "[it is] not the role of the Vice President or the Secretary of Education to talk about China".^[30]