Sen. Robin Padilla signaled he would consider a bid for vice president in 2028, but only under one condition: a direct request from former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking to reporters, Padilla made it clear that he has no personal ambition for higher office and would not accept instructions from anyone else. “Kapag utos ni Digong. Walang pwedeng mag utos sa akin kahit sino, si Digong lang. Kasi ayaw ko talaga ng pulitika, alam naman lahat ng… nanay ko alam yan, mga kapatid ko, asawa ko. Basta sinabi ni Digong susunod ako,” he told reporters.
His remarks come as Vice President Sara Duterte formally entered the 2028 presidential race, becoming the first aspirant to publicly declare her candidacy. In a speech delivered on February 18, she pledged her “life, strength and future” to the country and cited mounting public dissatisfaction over corruption, rising prices, and gaps in the healthcare system.
The vice president also addressed her earlier endorsement of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections, expressing regret and pointing to the collapse of their political partnership. The fallout between the two leaders has since developed into a widely watched political rift.
Padilla, a known ally of the Duterte family, was asked whether he felt prepared to assume the second-highest office in the country. He responded with confidence, downplaying the scope of the role. “Ipinanganak po tayong ready. Lalo na yan, para sa akin… Vice President, hindi naman masyadong ano yan…puro advocacy lang yan eh. Parang ikaw ang spare tire, ‘di ba? Kayang kaya yan,” he said.
Sara Duterte’s presidential campaign unfolds while she confronts several legal and political headwinds. Multiple impeachment complaints and criminal allegations have been filed against her, including accusations related to the alleged misuse of public funds. Previous impeachment attempts did not advance due to procedural issues, but renewed efforts have surfaced in recent months.
President Marcos, who is barred by the Constitution from seeking another term, has not directly addressed Duterte’s criticisms. His administration has maintained that the timing of her campaign is separate from the legal cases she faces.
