Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday that any impeachment complaint against his estranged vice president Sara Duterte would only distract Congress and not help people, in remarks that drew criticism from some lawmakers.

The dustup between the Philippines' top political families — the Marcos and Duterte clans — has entered the realm of major threat to the nation’s economy.

Family dynasties have a stranglehold on Filipino politics — and this week was a reminder that some dynasties at the top are militaristic and fond of violence.