Vice President Sara Duterte recently shared her thoughts about running for president in the 2028 National Elections. While many people are curious about her plans, she made it clear that it’s still too early to decide.
“It’s really too early to talk about it right now,” she told reporters while in The Hague, Netherlands.
Decision Will Come in 2026
VP Sara explained that, based on advice she received, she should make her decision by the last quarter of 2026, around December. This is because running for president requires a lot of preparation, including setting up a strong team and organization.
“I was advised before that by December 2026, a decision should be made. By then, we need to organize everything needed for a campaign,” she added.
Winning is a Must
When asked if she would consider running because of her family’s supporters, Duterte emphasized that the most important factor is ensuring victory.
“If you run for office, you have to win. You can’t just run without a solid chance of winning because that would be a hopeless case,” she explained.
She also said that it would be unfair to give people false hope if she wasn’t sure about winning.
“You can’t let people believe in you if you know you won’t succeed. That’s why you have to make sure you can win, so you don’t disappoint those who support you.”
Wasn’t She Considering Running Before?
In January, Duterte mentioned that she was “seriously considering” running for president in 2028. However, it seems like she still wants more time to think before making a final decision.
Support for Senator Imee Marcos
Aside from discussing the elections, VP Sara also expressed gratitude to Senator Imee Marcos. Marcos initiated a Senate investigation regarding the recent arrest of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
When asked about Senator Imee being left out of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s political team, Duterte responded with disappointment.
“It’s sad that this happened to Senator Imee, but I truly appreciate her efforts in looking into my father’s illegal arrest,” she said.
President Marcos Jr. recently announced his support for 11 senatorial candidates under the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas. However, his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, was not included in the lineup.
Will Duterte Endorse Senators in 2025?
As for whether VP Sara will endorse any candidates in the upcoming 2025 Senate elections, she made her stance clear:
“I am not endorsing any senators for the 2025 elections,” she stated.
Meanwhile, her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has already endorsed nine candidates for the 2025 senatorial race.
Former President Duterte’s Arrest
Earlier this month, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and taken to The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs. His arrest has sparked debates both in the Philippines and internationally.
VP Sara is thankful that the issue is being discussed in the government, not just by people rallying in the streets.
“I appreciate that this matter is being talked about inside the government, not just outside in rallies,” she said.
For now, while the topic of the 2028 elections is heating up, VP Sara remains undecided. The next few years will determine whether she will run for the highest position in the country.
