FACT-CHECK: Marcos Jr., Sara Duterte did not switch positions

Jan 12, 2026 | Fact Checked by PressOnePH

CLAIM: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte switched positions early in January 2026.
 
RATING: FALSE

 

A YouTube account falsely claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte swapped positions in early January 2026.

Flagged content: A YouTube account named “NEWS UPDATE FILES” uploaded a video on Jan. 1, claiming that Marcos Jr. and Duterte had agreed to switch positions via a signed agreement.

  • The caption reads, “JUST NOW! SUPER NEW-YEAR! KUMP1RMADO NA! SARAH DOTERTE AT MARC0S JR NAGPALETAN NA! BIG 2026 HETO NA! (sic)” (“Just now! Super new year! Confirmed! Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr. exchanged positions! Big 2026 is already here!”)
  • The overlay text in the thumbnail said: “NAGKA PIRMAHAN NA! SUCCESS1ON CONF1RMED! NAGPAL1TAN NA! PRESEDENT SARA FOR 2026? (sic)” (It’s signed! Succession confirmed! They’ve exchanged! President Sara for 2026?)

Our debunk: President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Duterte remain in their respective positions.

  • Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution outlines the rules of succession: the vice president takes over as president if the latter leaves office (in case of death, disability, removal from office, or resignation). There’s no mention of alternative ways of succession; therefore, the claim in the video is not possible under the Constitution.
  • There ‘s no statement from the Presidential Communications Office about the supposed succession. There’s also no statement from the Office of the Vice President about it.
  • On Jan. 5, President Marcos Jr. signed the P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026.

Rewind: President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Duterte’s “UniTeam” alliance fell apart in 2024 over political differences.

  • On Feb. 5, 2025, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Duterte and sent the resolution to the Senate for trial. 
  • On July 25, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the House impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte was barred by the one-year rule that prevents multiple cases from being initiated.
  • Vice President Duterte continued to hold office as there was no trial in  the Senate.

Why we fact-checked this: As of the time of writing, the video has garnered approximately 15,000 views, 1,600 likes, and 161 comments.

  • The YouTube account “NEWS UPDATE FILES” has 39,700 subscribers.

Spot the fake: To avoid falling for false breaking news updates, always check official websites and social media accounts of government offices and public officials or personalities involved. Jessica Mae Galicto


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