Vice President Sara Duterte said on Tuesday that it’s still too early to confirm whether she will run for president in the 2028 national elections.
Speaking to the media during her visit to The Hague in the Netherlands, Duterte was asked about her political plans. “It’s really too early sa ngayon,” she responded, adding that a decision is expected by the end of 2026.
“Ang advice sa akin noon was fourth quarter of 2026, December 2026 supposedly dapat merong decision. At that time, kailangan na i-setup kung ano yung kailangan na organization para sa isang kandidatura,” she said.
When asked about calls from her family’s supporters to consider running, Duterte stressed that it should only be done with a high level of certainty.
“Ang pagtakbo kasi kailangan ka manalo. So, kailangan mo paniguraduhin na kapag tumakbo ka mananalo ka, because, otherwise, that will be hopeless case. Wala na yung pag-asa,” she said.
“So mahirap paasahin yung mga tao tapos alam mo namang hindi ka magtatagumpay sa kandidatura mo. So, kailangan paniguraduhin na mananalo ka para nabibigay yung expectation ng mga tao,” she added.
Although she previously mentioned in January that she was “seriously considering” the possibility of running, Duterte said she has not made a final decision.
Meanwhile, the Vice President expressed her gratitude to Senator Imee Marcos for initiating a Senate investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court.
“It’s sad that this happened to Senator Imee Marcos, pero I truly appreciate the fact she opened Senate inquiries on the illegal arrest of President Duterte,” she said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently unveiled a lineup of 11 senatorial candidates under Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas, with Senator Imee left off the list—a move Duterte commented on.
“On that point, nagpapasalamat ako dahil napapag-usapan siya sa loob ng gobyerno hindi lang sa amin dito sa labas na nagra-rally,” she said.
While there’s talk about Senator Marcos possibly joining the PDP Laban senatorial slate, Duterte clarified she won’t be endorsing any candidates for the 2025 elections.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, now in custody over charges linked to his drug war campaign, earlier backed nine senatorial bets for next year’s polls.
