Uniteam 2.0 unlikely – Lacierda

Metro Manila, Philippines - The possibility of a renewed alliance between President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, dubbed “Uniteam 2.0”, is unlikely, according to former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

In an interview on The Newsmaker,Lacierda weighed in on President Marcos’ recent remarks hinting at reconciliation with the Duterte camp.

He described the offer as “genuine” and “gallant,” particularly after the administration’s poor showing in the midterm elections.

“The offer was noble, was gallant on his part. And maybe perhaps it’s also an acknowledgment of the failure of the administration to gain the majority of Senate votes in the midterm elections,” Lacierda said.

He noted that Marcos’ gesture — which included floating the idea of reconciliation in a recent podcast — was an unsolicited “olive branch” to ease political polarization. However, Lacierda questioned whether the gesture was enough, especially with the Vice President facing an impeachment trial.

“Maybe the best signal, I suppose, if you really want to offer an olive branch, is: what do you intend to do with the impeachment trial?” he said. “It’s up to the Duterte family to show a more visible sign of reconciliation.”

Lacierda said any potential revival of the Marcos-Duterte alliance faces a steep challenge. “Realistically, with so much already said by both sides… it’s going to be pretty hard to come up with a Uniteam 2.0,” he noted, pointing to Vice President Duterte’s public criticisms of the President.

“In the universe of possibilities, reconciliation is possible. But given the acrimonious statements, it’s pretty remote,” he said.

He also raised the question of power dynamics should a reconciliation occur: “Will Sara Duterte agree to be, again, the junior partner?”

Asked about the ongoing impeachment trial of the Vice President and its potential impact on the 2028 elections, Lacierda said the outcome would hinge on the evidence presented.

“She only needs nine votes to be acquitted. Her allies already have five seats after the midterms — she only needs four more. So her chances of acquittal have risen dramatically,” Lacierda explained.

As for whether the trial could trigger a sympathy vote, Lacierda said it would depend on the strength of the prosecution’s case.

“Short of presenting strong and convincing evidence, it will be very hard to convince both the Senate and the public that she committed an impeachable offense,” he said.