From The Hague, Vice President Sara Duterte offered a cautious take on the next presidential election, saying she can only hope it will push through — and that it will be conducted fairly.
“We can only pray that there will be a presidential election in 2028 and it will be honest, orderly, and peaceful,” Duterte said in an interview in the Netherlands on Monday.
The Vice President, who announced her presidential bid in February, described herself as already in the race. “I’m already a presumptive candidate because I declared my intention to run for the next presidential elections,” she said.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro took note of the Vice President’s demeanor during the interview, suggesting it revealed more than her words did.
“Kitang-kita niyo naman na habang sumasagot ang bise presidente ay nangingiti siya. Siguro kahit siya ay natatawa sa sarili niyang sagot. Unang-una po, nakikita rin natin ang kasabikan ng bise-presidente na pagusapan ang halalan sa 2028 samantalang ang Pangulo ay abala sa pagaayos ng anumang epekto ng krisis sa Middle East,” Castro said.
Castro drew a sharper line in her assessment of Duterte’s broader remarks, framing them as a pattern rather than a policy position.
“Ito ba ay parang like father, like daughter? Alam naman natin na umamin ang Pangulong Duterte na siya ay eksperto sa paggawa ng intriga at pagplanta ng ebidensya. So ang mga ganitong sagot mula sa Bise Presidente ay alam naming intriga lamang, mga kwentong walang basehan,” she said.
Recent polling data offers some context for Duterte’s candidacy. A Pulse Asia presidential preference survey conducted from February 27 to March 2 showed her in a statistical tie with Senator Raffy Tulfo, each drawing 46 percentage points in a head-to-head matchup. In a separate scenario pitting her against Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Duterte led 51 to 43.
