Philippines: VP Sara Duterte Announces Presidential Run for 2028

Speaking at a televised press conference in Manila, the Vice President offered her "life, strength, and future" to the nation while simultaneously launching a scathing critique of the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The announcement signals the final, irreparable collapse of the "UniTeam" alliance that secured a landslide victory for the pair just four years ago.

The declaration comes at a moment of extreme personal and political vulnerability for the Duterte family. Just days after the announcement, the International Criminal Court in The Hague scheduled a "confirmation of charges" hearing for her father on February 23, 2026, former President Rodrigo Duterte. The elder Duterte has remained in Dutch custody since his dramatic arrest in Manila in March 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial "war on drugs."

His daughter, the Vice President, has consistently framed her father's detention as a form of political "kidnapping" facilitated by the current administration, a sentiment that fueled her decision to seek the country's highest office.

Sara Duterte’s bid for the presidency is not without significant legal obstacles. Even as she announced her plans, a fourth impeachment complaint was transmitted to the office of House Speaker Faustino Dy III. These complaints centre on allegations of "grave misconduct," including the alleged misuse of over 600 million pesos (approx. NZ$17.31 million) in confidential funds during her time as Vice President and Education Secretary. Lawmakers pushing for her removal have been quick to point out that a presidential bid does not provide immunity from accountability, asserting that the proceedings will focus on her fitness to hold her current office regardless of her future ambitions.

During her address, the Vice President sought forgiveness from the Filipino people for her previous support of President Marcos. She accused the incumbent leader of "lack of sincerity" and failing to address the rising costs of basic goods and a crumbling healthcare system. The rhetoric marks a pivot toward an "anti-establishment" platform, reminiscent of her father's populist style. Analysts suggest that by announcing her candidacy more than two years before the election, Duterte is attempting to galvanize her base in Mindanao and consolidate support before potential disqualification cases or impeachment trials can sideline her.

The escalating feud has divided the Philippine political landscape into two distinct camps. While the Marcos administration has deepened its military and defence ties with the United States to counter Chinese influence in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea), Sara Duterte has faced criticism from Malacañang Palace for her perceived silence on Beijing’s maritime aggression. This ideological rift, combined with the shadow of the ICC investigation, ensures that the 2028 race will be as much a referendum on the country’s foreign policy as it is on the domestic legacy of the Duterte and Marcos dynasties.

Despite the political fallout between Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a new alliance is taking shape. Senator Robin Padilla — a former action star turned politician and a close Duterte ally — has floated the idea of pairing Duterte with Senator Imee Marcos as her running mate in the 2028 presidential race.

The proposal follows a highly publicised rift within the Marcos family. Imee Marcos, the president’s elder sister, has publicly aligned herself with Duterte rather than her brother.

As the House of Representatives prepares to deliberate on the latest articles of impeachment, the Vice President’s early entry into the race ensures that every political maneuver in the coming months will be viewed through the lens of the 2028 campaign.

-Asia Media Centre