The fifth season follows Cardo and Vendetta as they confront corruption in the larger Philippine political arena. Vendetta not only battles Kamandag, a terrorist group supported by Renato Hipolito, but also faces a gun-running syndicate operated by the Vice President of the Philippines, Lucas Cabrera.
Although Hipolito and Cabrera belong to the same political party, they conspire to eliminate Vendetta and advance their own ambitions. Hipolito seeks to secure the top spot in the midterm senatorial elections, which he plans to use as a springboard to the presidency in the next national elections. Cabrera, meanwhile, aims to dominate the Senate with his allies, with Hipolito as Senate President, to guarantee his own victory in the presidential race. Cabrera, however, remains unaware that Hipolito intends to betray him in order to claim the presidency for himself.
Plot
Marco (JC Santos) formally introduces Alyana (Yassi Pressman) to the Cabrera family. His half-brother, Congressman Brandon Cabrera (Mark Anthony Fernandez), supports their relationship, but their father, Vice President Lucas Cabrera (Edu Manzano), fears it will harm his presidential ambitions. His wife, Second Lady Catherine Cabrera (Alice Dixson), pretends to welcome Alyana to avoid conflict with Marco. Meanwhile, Cardo (Coco Martin) continues to pursue Alyana but is rejected when she finally returns his wedding ring. Marco's increasingly violent behavior becomes apparent as he pressures Alyana to marry him against her will, even resorting to threats of suicide after a car accident nearly claims his life.
At the same time, General Diana Olegario (Angel Aquino) secretly enlists General Delfin Borja (Jaime Fabregas) for assistance, unaware that her secretary James (Jay Gonzaga) is being tailed by Major Catindig (Sid Lucero) for Director Renato Hipolito (John Arcilla). Hipolito orders Alakdan (Jhong Hilario) to launch an attack on Vendetta, which costs the lives of Kalabaw (Rey Solo) and Jimboy (Jayson Gainza). Romulo (Lito Lapid) survives Hipolito's attempt to personally kill him and is taken into custody by the CIDG, but Hipolito manipulates his way into supervising Romulo's case. Cardo disguises himself as a doctor to attempt a rescue at the hospital, where he meets nurse Andrea "Andy" Collins (Jessy Mendiola). Andy and her family later join Vendetta after the group rescues her mother and several women from a human trafficking syndicate. With Andy's help, Vendetta eventually succeeds in liberating Romulo from Hipolito's guards, while President Oscar Hidalgo (Rowell Santiago) begins to question Hipolito's corruption.
As Lucas, Brandon, and Hipolito consolidate their political power, Vendetta intensifies efforts to expose their crimes. Vendetta rescues teachers and workers exploited by Brandon's syndicate, winning sympathy from the public and even the President, who starts to recognize the group's humanitarian role. However, Marco grows increasingly unstable, directing his jealousy and violent outbursts at Alyana, to the dismay of her parents Teddy and Virgie. His behavior worsens until he confronts Alyana's family and eventually joins an armed assault against Cardo and Vendetta. In a deadly gunfight, Marco and his men are killed, leaving Catherine devastated and Lucas vowing vengeance against Vendetta.
Lucas escalates his schemes by using General Terante (Soliman Cruz) and Hipolito to stage attacks and frame Vendetta, while also orchestrating the kidnapping of religious leader Brother Lorenzo Alano (Rey Abellana). When Vendetta rescues Lorenzo and exposes Brandon's involvement, Brandon is imprisoned, though Lucas deflects blame through press manipulation. Later, Lucas and Hipolito plot election fraud with presidential aide William Celerio (Bobby Andrews), but Vendetta intercepts tampered voting machines, leading to Hipolito's defeat. Lucas, enraged, pushes harder to annihilate Vendetta, even as the group strengthens its alliance with Oscar after rescuing him from an assassination attempt that killed his wife and two children. Initially hostile to Vendetta, Oscar eventually realizes Lucas was responsible for his family's murder and aligns himself with Cardo.
As Lucas assumes the presidency after declaring Oscar dead, Hipolito and Terante gain high-ranking government positions and intensify their crackdown on Vendetta. Lola Flora and her household suffer displacement and harassment orchestrated by Gina and her cohorts, while Cardo and Alyana reconcile, remarry, and return to Manila. Vendetta continues to expose corruption, rescuing civilians from abuse, while Lucas resorts to increasingly brutal measures to consolidate power. The conflict culminates with Oscar, now rescued and sheltered by Vendetta, embracing their cause to cleanse the government of Lucas, Hipolito, and their allies.
↑ Marissa Hidalgo was written off the show as the First Lady of the Philippines, hence she is credited as such
↑ Catherine Cabrera left the show before Lucas Cabrera's ascencion to the Presidency, thus she is still billed as the second lady because the title was never explicitly used by the character on the show.
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