VP Sara Duterte delivers a speech in 2023. Recently, her public exchanges with Sultan Kiram have signaled mutual respect, highlighting the convergence of contemporary politics, royal heritage, and Tausug sentiment in Sulu’s evolving political landscape. Source: Dipolog City Government

VP Duterte and the current claimant to the Sultanate of Sulu Kiram have expressed mutual respect online in the evolving political climate in Sulu. While not an institutional alliance, their interactions since 2025 reveal how contemporary politics, royal heritage, and the sentiments of Tausug communities are intersecting at a pivotal moment in the country’s southern region.

A 2025 Turning Point: Public Greetings and Direct Contact

On September 14, 2025, a short but symbolically significant episode took place: Muedzul shared that he received a video call from VP Duterte upon arriving in Manila for an official function. In his post he described "Upon my arrival here in Manila to attend an official function, I had the pleasure to have received a video phone call from Her Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Inday Sara Duterte. With the support of Panglima Kadunung, I invited VP Sara to visit us in Sulu and enjoy our wonderful hospitality and delicious food. I look forward to hosting her in Jolo soon."

The response from Tausug commenters was striking. Statements such as “Tausugs are 100% supporting her,”“We’ll support her to the top in 2028,” and “She is our last hope” reflected a political undercurrent: sectors of Sulu society were signaling early alignment with Duterte’s future political prospects.

"Upon my arrival here in Manila to attend an official function, I had the pleasure to have received a video phone call from Her Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Inday Sara Duterte."

The connection continued in November 2025, when the Muedzul publicly released a video message from VP Duterte, in which she thanked him and his supporters for their continued trust in the Office of the Vice President. Again, Tausug communities interpreted this as a positive sign of growing affinity between the vice president and Sulu’s traditional leadership.

Screenshot of a video call between Vice President Sara Duterte and Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, where he invited her to Jolo. Source: Facebook.

Royal Claims and a Complex Historical Backdrop

Understanding the weight of these exchanges requires context. Muedzul is the son of Ampun Mohammad Mahakuttah Kiram, the last Sultan of Sulu formally recognized by the Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the 1970s. His claim to the title, often disputed by other branches of the royal family, has roots in government documentation and traditional succession.

He was thrust into international attention in 2013, when he condemned Jamalul Kiram III’s armed incursion into Sabah. Muedzul positioned himself as the legitimate and lawful Sultan, distancing himself from the Sabah standoff and calling it strategically reckless. Over the years, he has consistently advocated for a peaceful, government-led approach to addressing the Philippine claim to Sabah, an issue that resurfaces periodically in both Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

"Duterte’s interactions in 2025 occurred at a moment when Sulu leaders were again seeking national political allies."

Moreover, the Royal House of Sulu has repeatedly sought Philippine government engagement on Sabah, most notably in 2022, when it appealed to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take part in negotiations following an arbitration case.

That context shifted decisively on December 9, 2025, when the Paris Court of Appeal annulled the USD 14.9 billion arbitration award that had been pursued by another branch of the Sulu heirs against Malaysia. The ruling effectively dismantled the legal foundation of the offshore litigation strategy that had dominated the Sabah narrative in recent years, closing the door on enforcement efforts abroad. While the decision did not resolve the historical sovereignty question of Sabah itself, it marked the end of the arbitration track as a viable political or legal instrument, forcing Sulu actors to re-calibrate their engagement with the Philippine state and national political leaders.

Sara Duterte’s Historical Engagement with Sulu and Mindanao

Sara Duterte’s name resonates strongly with the people in Sulu, not only because of her family’s political legacy but also because of her own outreach. As Davao City mayor and later as vice president, she regularly engaged with Muslim communities, expressed support for the Bangsamoro peace process, and delivered social services across the region.

Her offices have partnered with Sulu officials in humanitarian programs, medical assistance, and social outreach missions. In 2023, Governor Sakur Tan and Vice Governor Toto Tan publicly thanked Duterte for bringing her satellite office’s services to the province. Before that, in 2019, she made waves by campaigning in Sulu with candidates not allied with the Tan political clan, an example of her reputation for independent political maneuvering.

"Her offices have partnered with Sulu officials in humanitarian programs, medical assistance, and social outreach missions."

These past engagements shaped Tausug perceptions of Duterte and may have contributed to the warmth that accompanied her 2025 interactions with Muedzul.

How Their Emerging Connection Fits the Broader Picture

The growing public rapport between Duterte and the Sultan does not imply a formal political partnership, but it does illuminate several important dynamics. Tausug political sentiment, for instance, appears to be shifting. The enthusiastic responses to Muedzul’s posts suggest that many Tausug feel seen and acknowledged when national leaders directly engage with royal and tribal structures that hold deep cultural significance.

At the same time, the Sultanate of Sulu continues to occupy a meaningful place in both cultural and political identity. While the institution no longer wields formal governing authority, it remains symbolically potent, particularly in relation to the preservation of Tausug heritage. When a national figure like Duterte steps into this symbolic space, the gesture carries weight that resonates beyond ceremonial courtesies.

"When a national figure like Duterte steps into this symbolic space, the gesture carries weight that resonates beyond ceremonial courtesies."

This developing rapport also reflects the ongoing evolution of Duterte’s political network across the region. She has long demonstrated an ability to navigate among various clans, rivalries, and shifting alliances. Her engagement with the Royal House of Sulu is consistent with her broader political approach, one that builds bridges across diverse groups and extends her influence beyond conventional party boundaries.

The engagement between VP Duterte and Muedzul could also be interpreted as a strategic political move. By building rapport with the Sultan and the Tausug community, Duterte signals independence from conventional political alliances while simultaneously expanding her network of influential local supporters. This mirrors her broader approach of hedging political bets, cultivating allies across rival factions to strengthen her influence in Mindanao without appearing entirely tied to a political agenda.

A Relationship to Watch in the Coming Years

At this stage, the connection between VP Duterte and Muedzul is best understood as a publicly cordial relationship with potential political significance. Their exchanges in 2025 amplified Tausug enthusiasm for Duterte’s national role, while giving the Sultan a platform to reaffirm his legitimacy and relevance.

In Sulu, where symbolism, history, and personal relationships matter as much as formal policy, these gestures foreshadow deeper interactions. Whether this relationship evolves into strategic cooperation or remains a series of respectful courtesies, it underscores how the Sultanate of Sulu, even without formal state power, continues to shape political currents in the southern Philippines.

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