MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday declared she will run for president in the 2028 national elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes political contest as she confronts renewed impeachment efforts and pending criminal complaints that could bar her from public office if convicted.
In a televised address, Duterte confirmed her presidential plans and renewed accusations of corruption and misgovernance against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her former running mate in the 2022 elections. The alliance that propelled both leaders to victory has since unraveled into a bitter political rift.
Duterte’s announcement comes amid mounting legal and political challenges. Multiple impeachment complaints have been filed against her in the House of Representatives, including allegations of the illegal use and mishandling of approximately $10.3 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and during her tenure as education secretary under Marcos. Another complaint cites alleged unexplained wealth, including funds in personal bank accounts. An anti-graft prosecutor has said efforts are underway to access the accounts as part of a separate criminal investigation.
In her speech, Duterte asked the public for forgiveness over issues confronting the country, including corruption, law-and-order concerns, and inflation.
“Politicians often avoid announcing their plans early so they wouldn’t be the target of attacks,” she said. “But this administration has long destroyed my name.”
She left a subsequent news conference without taking questions.
The president, who is constitutionally limited to a single six-year term, did not immediately respond to Duterte’s remarks. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro urged the vice president to address the allegations against her, including questions over confidential funds and her frequent overseas trips.
“She should ask forgiveness for focusing on destroying reputations of other people instead of doing her work and helping the government,” Castro said.
Duterte previously survived an impeachment case on procedural grounds. The House voted to impeach her and transmitted the complaint to the Senate for trial. However, the Supreme Court of the Philippines later ruled that the House violated a constitutional provision limiting it to processing only one impeachment case per year against an impeachable official.
One of the new impeachment complaints references a 2024 online news conference in which Duterte said that if she were assassinated, she had arranged for the president, the first lady, and the House speaker to be killed — remarks that drew widespread condemnation.
During earlier House investigations, Duterte declined to answer detailed questions and skipped some televised hearings. Her lawyer, Michael Poa, has said she is prepared to confront the accusations and is confident that “a fair and impartial review will demonstrate that the accusations are devoid of both factual and legal basis.”
The vice president and her family have also blamed Marcos for the detention of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces possible trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court over his administration’s deadly anti-drug campaign. The tribunal ordered his arrest and detention in the Netherlands last year.
Foreign policy differences have further widened the divide between the Marcos and Duterte camps. Rodrigo Duterte strengthened ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his presidency. Marcos has since deepened defense cooperation with Washington in response to China’s increasingly assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea.
Sara Duterte has faced criticism for not publicly condemning China’s actions in the contested waters. Castro warned voters to scrutinize candidates carefully.
“Let’s be cautious and analytical. Somebody who is seeking your vote may be a Manchurian candidate,” she said.
With more than two years before the next presidential election, Duterte’s early declaration signals the beginning of what is expected to be a contentious and closely watched political battle.
With reports from Associated Press
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
