I'VE said it before, and I will say it again. The political opposition that we used to know, which we colored yellow, pink and red, will no longer be the place from where the challenger will emerge. I would add another layer of crystal ball scenario-making to that prediction. Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is term-limited, the battle to succeed him will be an open political warfare not between his coalition and the now diminished political opposition. It will be a rumble from within his supermajorities in Congress.

And the battle for succession has now begun. Some say it's too early. That would be so for many of us who think of politics as a rational game of principled men and women. But when unbridled ambition takes over politicians, which is often, then there is nothing that could be too early. Five years before the next presidential elections may no longer be as remote, and two years before the midterms can just feel as if it is already here.

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