Sara Duterte Declares 2028 Presidential Bid Despite Impeachment Threats
Vice President Sara Duterte has officially announced her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, ending months of speculation with a bold declaration made Wednesday at the Office of the Vice President's headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
'Ako si Sara Duterte, tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas,' Duterte said, wearing a black polo shirt at the press conference — a direct and succinct statement that set the political stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested presidential race.
The announcement came as Duterte faces multiple impeachment complaints filed at the House of Representatives, and just days before her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, begins pretrial hearings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the Duterte administration's war on drugs.
In her speech, Duterte vowed to restore the 'tapang at malasakit' — courage and compassion — brand of leadership associated with her father, while sharply criticizing the Marcos administration for what she described as corruption and a failure to fulfill campaign promises.
'In the first few months of our terms, I already saw Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s lack of sincerity regarding the promises made during the campaign, as well as his sworn duty to the nation,' she said.
Duterte asked her supporters to forgive her for helping Marcos win the 2022 elections. 'Forgive me if the roads, bridges and projects that are funded by the public always break down. Forgive me if crime, illegal drugs and terrorism is inching closer to our doorsteps,' she said.
Despite facing political headwinds, Duterte remains popular. A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed 54 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with her performance as vice president. Philippine presidents are limited to a single six-year term, which removes Marcos as a potential 2028 candidate.
Analysts say the announcement is designed to consolidate her base and draw a clear political line. 'By projecting an inevitable 2028 run, she raises the perceived cost of defection,' said Cleve Arguelles of WR Numero Research.
The Marcos administration's reaction was measured but pointed. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte should apologize for the 'corruption and misuse of funds' cited in the impeachment complaints before attacking the president's record.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla, a Duterte ally, wasted no time endorsing a potential 2028 tandem of Sara Duterte for president with Sen. Imee Marcos as vice president — a pairing that would reunite rival family dynasties.
Source: The Manila Times (https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/02/19/news/vp-sara-announces-2028-presidential-run/2280023)
