‘Maharlika Boldyakera’: A rabid Marcos political aide turned staunch admin critic

MANILA, Philippines – Who is Maharlika Boldyakera, and why is she saying all those things against the Marcos administration?

Messengers, even during the early political civilizations, played a crucial role in communicating the leader’s policies to the public. In the Philippines, even before the Spaniards arrived, umalohokan or town criers carry an essential function in upkeeping public order and awareness.

However, modern-day messengers, particularly content creators, have gone ahead of journalists in reporting current events, owing to the ease of access to social media platforms – and even exclusive stories inside the political structure of the country have been plain sailing duty for them.

One of them is Claire Eden Contreras most popularly known as “Maharlika.”

Who is Maharlika?

Political influencer Maharlika was once upon a time known as a pro-Duterte vlogger who became famous during the 2022 presidential elections as a rabid supporter of then-presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Amassing over 181,000 subscribers on YouTube and roughly 35,000 followers on Facebook, Maharlika stands as one of the prominent political influencers who fueled Marcos’ return to Malacañang. 

The ascendance of Duterte’s national political significance and later the making of the Marcos presidency have become more accessible to the public because of Maharlika’s huge following.

Turn of events

However, the political pendulum has swung as Maharlika flipped the script against the present administration.

For more than a year, Maharlika’s content no longer appraised the undertakings of the Marcos leadership. She has become Marcos’ number one critic, who chastises Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and other political allies in front of her social media followers.

To date, Maharlika remains consistent in bemoaning the “failures” of the Marcos administration, expressing indubitability in every political intrigue and exposé she uncovers.

Livestream after another, Maharlika has gained massive viewership which makes the masses feel buoyant of the political content she regularly produces.

Citing her “puting ahas” (white snake) as the source, Maharlika becomes more stouthearted for unveiling insider reports that make her followers aware, wonder, or question the current administration.

However, various social media users also slammed Maharlika for her messaging in what they thought was an attempt to undo the Marcos presidency.

READ: Baste Duterte tells Marcos to resign: ‘You are lazy and you lack compassion’