Marcos' Last 2 Minutes: What He Can Learn from Noynoy Aquino

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A historic impeachment trial is underway in the Philippines, pitting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against his vice president, Sara Duterte. The Senate, as an impeachment court, is set to decide the fate of Duterte, who has been impeached twice by Marcos' allies. This is a momentous occasion, echoing the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2011 when Noynoy Aquino was president.

The story begins in December 2011, when then-president Noynoy Aquino sat down with his key advisers to discuss the impeachment of Corona. Aquino was resolute, and despite warnings that it would cost him heavy political capital, he pressed on. The result was a five-month trial that ultimately led to Corona's conviction.

Fast-forward to 2022, when Marcos took office. Unlike Aquino, however, Marcos has struggled to assert his authority, choosing to punt on critical decisions. In 2025, Marcos was faced with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, who had been accused of various offenses. Yet, Marcos hesitated, refusing to take a clear stance. "Wala nga akong pakialam doon," he told reporters at the time, downplaying his involvement.

The consequences of this presidential waffling have been devastating. Duterte's impeachment trial was stalled by Senate President Chiz Escudero, who seemed determined to protect the vice president. The trial eventually reached the Supreme Court, where justices ruled that Duterte's impeachment was unconstitutional.

But what does this mean for Marcos? Analysts point to the stark contrast between Aquino's decisive leadership and Marcos' indecisiveness. Aquino was a master of power, who knew what he wanted and pursued it relentlessly. Marcos, on the other hand, has danced around power, leaving his supporters and opponents alike scratching their heads.

The result is a power vacuum that has allowed Marcos' allies to pursue their own agendas. In the case of Duterte, her impeachment trial has become a proxy battle between Marcos' allies and his opponents. The outcome will determine not only Duterte's fate but also the fate of the Marcos presidency.

As Marcos navigates the final two years of his term, he would do well to study Aquino's example. Aquino's leadership was marked by strength, decisiveness, and a willingness to take risks. Marcos, on the other hand, has struggled to assert his authority, leaving his presidency in a state of limbo.

In the end, the Marcos presidency will be defined by its ability to seize power and wield it effectively. Will Marcos learn from Aquino's example, or will his presidency continue to meander? Only time will tell.

As we look back on the Marcos presidency, one thing is clear: power is not a game to be played but a force to be wielded with care. Will Marcos finally learn to wield it effectively, or will his presidency continue to be defined by indecisiveness and a lack of leadership?

The stakes are high, and the outcome of this impeachment trial will shape not only Duterte's fate but also the fate of the Marcos presidency. Will Marcos emerge victorious, or will his presidency be remembered as a cautionary tale of what happens when power is not wielded effectively? Only time will tell.

Marcos has a choice to make: seize power and wield it effectively, or continue to meander and risk losing everything. The Filipino people are watching, and the outcome of this impeachment trial will be a defining moment in the Marcos presidency. Will Marcos learn from Aquino's example, or will his presidency continue to be marked by indecisiveness and a lack of leadership?