BAYAN calls for Marcos-Duterte resignation, civilian-led transition gov’t

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 19, 2025

MARCOS-DUTERTE RESIGN. Progressive group BAYAN calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to resign from their offices amid alleged involvement in systemic corruption in the government. (File Photo: Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – BAYAN/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Amid a turbulent political climate troubled by corruption scandals, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) called for the resignation of both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, for their responsibility in the “large-scale and systematic corruption in the government.”

The progressive group argued that a genuine pursuit for accountability and justice is not possible when the two highest officials of the country have their own corruption controversies to face.

“Marcos Jr. bears principal responsibility and therefore must be held accountable for the raging corruption scandals since he drafted, signed, and implemented the corruption-infested national budget. He ordered and allowed anomalous budget insertions and the release of funds for pork barrel projects,” BAYAN said.

“As for Sara Duterte, she abused her authority and grossly misused her confidential funds as well as the education budget, then refused to be held accountable,” the group added.

BAYAN’s statement differs from bipartisan sentiments between the clashing pro-Marcos administration supporters and the Duterte camp, with the latter openly eyeing a presidential succession should the president step down or be removed from office.

Section 8, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution specifically indicates that the vice president shall succeed the president and assume his remaining term in case of his death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation.

“Marcos has to step down to allow an independent, thoroughgoing anti-corruption investigation and face accountability for his crimes against the Filipino people,” BAYAN said. “But he cannot be replaced by Sara Duterte, who must also be held accountable for large-scale corruption, abuse of her office, and her role in the extrajudicial killings and other crimes against humanity perpetrated by the murderous regime of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.”

Apart from Marcos and Duterte, the group also seeks the removal of other government officials involved in the corruption controversies that, based on ongoing investigations, have siphoned billions of public money from the nation’s coffers.

Reforms through a transition council

While their stance calls for Marcos and Duterte to step down, BAYAN clarified that they are not advocating for any form of military or civilian-military junta.

Rather, the group underscored that holding officials accountable across levels of government “can only be done by a civilian-initiated transition government following the ouster of Marcos and Duterte.”

BAYAN said the transition council shall mainly consist of representatives from different sectors of workers, peasants, women, youth, and national minorities, and shall ensure the implementation of socio-economic reforms that have long been denied to Filipinos.

Similarly, the council shall also oversee a “truly democratic election process” bereft of political dynasties that have entrenched themselves in power for years.

“Our people are determined to address the roots of the current crisis in governance. This makes it urgent for all democratic classes, sectors, and forces to forge broad unity, remove the main obstacles to setting up a government of, for, and by the people, and immediately establish a transition council that will finally initiate substantial political and socio-economic reforms in the country,” the group said.