Philippine VP Sara Duterte announces run for president in 2028 | Politics News
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte Announces Presidential Candidacy for 2028
Announcement comes amid ongoing impeachment complaints and family controversies.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has declared her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, aligning herself with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
“It took me 47 years to understand that my life was never meant to be only mine,” Duterte said in a statement, livestreamed on Wednesday.
In her address, Duterte expressed her struggle with the responsibilities she feels toward her family and her country. “I am Sara Duterte, and I am running for president in the Philippines,” she affirmed.
Duterte also sought forgiveness from her supporters for previously backing incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the last presidential election. She highlighted ongoing national issues, including corruption, poverty, and a rising cost of living. “I cannot kneel before each and every Filipino to beg for forgiveness. Instead, I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation,” she stated.
Her relationship with President Marcos has reportedly deteriorated since she supported his election bid five years ago. This rift deepened after a 2024 corruption inquiry investigated allegations of her misuse of government funds and culminated in the arrest of her father, ordered by Marcos and carried out by the Philippine National Police and Interpol.
Duterte’s announcement arrives during a challenging period for her and her family. She faces multiple impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives over accusations of corruption and making a death threat against President Marcos. Her father’s trial in The Hague is also set to move forward, where he is accused of crimes committed during his controversial “war on drugs” from 2016 to 2022.
Political scientist Cleve Arguelles commented on the heightened stakes for the Duterte family, suggesting that the announcement aims to consolidate support within her political faction during a tumultuous time. “When legal risk rises, so does the temptation to defect early to save one’s own skin,” he noted. “When the boat starts taking in water, some passengers look for lifeboats; others start pushing people overboard.”
The landscape of Philippine politics continues to shift as Duterte prepares for the electoral battle ahead.
