VP Sara reaffirms presidential run in 2028

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said the Philippines’ position behind Southeast Asian nations and the rest of the world was what pushed her to “seriously consider” running for president in 2028.

Duterte made the statement over the weekend, reaffirming her remark last month before overseas Filipino workers in Japan who were coaxing her to run for president.

“When I went to Japan and met OFWs who live and work there, they asked me if I would run in 2028 and I said I’m seriously considering running in the 2028 presidential elections,” Duterte told News5.

The Vice President said she could no longer stand the country’s state of affairs, noting how there’s much to be fixed and reformed in order to make the Philippines world-class.

“We need to be competitive with our neighbors in the region and the rest of the world. We’ve been left out and we don’t want this to continue,” she added.

Duterte’s affirmation of her commitment to consider the presidency came amid the continuous drop in trust and satisfaction ratings and the looming possibility of impeachment.

While her prospects for the presidency remain unclear, Duterte is being pressed about her plans for the 2025 midterm elections as aside from her political capital as Vice President, she founded the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which met great success during the last midterm elections.

However, Duterte said she was unsure whether her endorsements would harm or bring better chances for candidates’ bids due to the political and legal storm she is currently facing.

“I’m still thinking about how I could participate in the 2025 elections because I’m unsure if my endorsement would help or harm candidates,” she said.

“I need to think about it properly because if my opting out for endorsements would be helpful to candidates, I’d be happy to (not endorse anyone),” she added.

Different mass protests have been held over the past weeks to either dissuade or push Congress to proceed with the impeachment of the Vice President.

The House of Representatives had already received impeachment complaints against Duterte, but has yet to act on them.

President Marcos himself had discouraged members of Congress from proceeding with the complaints.