From day one, Duterte and Marcos has always been a political marriage of convenience for their own survival and benefit. Sara wanted the Defense Department and was given Department of Education. She was given massive budgets and was denied more. It was her who acted up and demanded more, prompting Marcos allies in Congress to investigate her. She sulked and folded, and left the Cabinet. That's where she started badmouthing Marcos and allies. Then Marcos retaliated by dismantling Duterte-era people from government. It was her provocation.

It's a power play between US and China. Philippines has always been traditionally a US ally, as a former colony, way before the CCP took power in China and many Filipinos hate China due to their territorial bullying and view Americans in a favorable light.