PHILIPPINES A. Political Situations Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president of the Philippines after the 2022 presidential election, during which social media platforms were widely documented as being weaponized to advance his political interests and spread propaganda. Marcos Jr. forged an alliance with the Duterte family, with Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, running as his vice-presidential candidate. Sara Duterte also won the vice-presidential election, and both were inaugurated as president and vice president of the Philippines, respectively, in June 2022. The alliance between the two families later collapsed. Sara Duterte accused Marcos Jr. of being incompetent as president and allegedly even plotting to have him assassinated268, 269. This allegation, together with other accusations, including misuse of state funds, led to her impeachment in February 2025270. Flores, Mikhail. “Philippine Political Rift Widens as VP Duterte Accuses Marcos of Incompetence.” Reuters, 18 Oct. 2024, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-political-rift-widens-vp-duterte-accusesmarcos-incompetence-2024-10-18. 269. “Philippines Vice-President Directs Assassin to Kill President.” ABC News, 24 Nov. 2024, www.abc.net.au/ news/2024-11-24/philippines-vice-president-directs-assassin-to-kill-president/104640606. 270. “Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte Impeached.” ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025, www.abc.net.au/news/ 2025-02-06/philippine-vice-president-sara-duterte-impeached-/104902482. 268. 62