In a stunning development that has sent tremors through the corridors of Malacañang and the House of Representatives, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. has broken his silence with a fiery declaration that many are calling a game-changer for Vice President Sara Duterte. The political landscape, already fractured by deepening rifts between the Marcos and Duterte camps, erupted into chaos following Locsin’s bold assertion regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC). His statement, which frames any potential handover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC not as a legal arrest but as an “abduction” by Filipinos to be surrendered to foreigners, has been interpreted as a massive blow to the strategies allegedly being orchestrated by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla and the current administration.

The controversy centers on the looming threat of the ICC investigation into the previous administration’s war on drugs. For months, speculation has been rife that the Marcos administration, through the Department of Justice and its allies in Congress, might soften its stance on the ICC, potentially allowing international investigators to enter the country. However, Locsin’s recent pronouncements have thrown a wrench into these perceived plans. By explicitly stating that surrendering a Filipino citizen to a foreign court is akin to “treason” and a betrayal of sovereignty, Locsin has provided a powerful diplomatic and intellectual shield for the Dutertes. This move is being celebrated by supporters of the Vice President as the “good news” they have been waiting for—a sign that powerful figures are still willing to stand against what they view as political persecution.

The impact of Locsin’s words on the “Remulla faction” cannot be overstated. Secretary Remulla, who has been vocal about the Philippines’ re-engagement with international human rights bodies and the need for accountability, now finds his narrative directly challenged by one of the country’s most articulate and influential diplomats. The video reports circulating online suggest that Locsin’s “declaration” has effectively “finished” the momentum of those pushing for cooperation with the ICC. By framing the issue as a matter of national dignity and sovereignty, Locsin has rallied nationalist sentiment, making it politically costly for any official to openly support the surrender of the former president. This has reportedly caused panic within the Palace and the Kamara (House of Representatives), as their calculated moves to isolate the Dutertes are now facing formidable resistance from within the diplomatic corps itself.

This explosive turn of events also highlights the widening chasm between President Bongbong Marcos (BBM) and Vice President Sara Duterte. The narrative that BBM has “let go” (bumitaw na) of the alliance is gaining more traction than ever. The administration’s apparent willingness to entertain the ICC probe was seen by many as the ultimate betrayal of the “UniTeam” promise. However, Locsin’s intervention suggests that the fight is far from over. His refusal to toe the line and his defense of the previous administration’s sovereignty creates a complex dilemma for President Marcos: openly defy his own ambassador and risk a nationalist backlash, or back down on the ICC issue and appear weak to the international community.

Furthermore, the timing of this “good news” for Sara Duterte is critical. Facing intensified scrutiny over confidential funds and alleged impeachment threats from the House, the Vice President has been on the defensive. Locsin’s statement serves as a counter-offensive, shifting the conversation back to the defense of her father and the principles of national independence. It signals to the political establishment that the Dutertes are not without allies and that the “solid” support base they command is ready to be mobilized against any perceived foreign interference. The term “abduction” used by Locsin is particularly potent, evoking strong emotions and framing the government’s potential cooperation with the ICC as a criminal act against its own citizens.

As the dust settles on this latest bombshell, the question remains: how will the Palace respond? The narrative that Remulla and the House leadership have been outmaneuvered by Locsin’s sharp rhetoric is spreading like wildfire on social media. The “Marcos vs. Duterte” war has moved from whispered rumors to open conflict, with high-ranking officials now taking sides. For the supporters of the Vice President, Locsin’s declaration is a beacon of hope—a sign that the attempts to dismantle the Duterte legacy will not go unchallenged. The political drama is intensifying, and the Philippine public is watching closely to see who will blink first in this high-stakes battle for power and survival.