MANILA — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said Wednesday she will run for president in the 2028 national elections, marking a dramatic escalation in the political rivalry with incumbent President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and reshaping the country’s electoral landscape.
Speaking at a press conference, Duterte said she was offering her “life, strength and future” in the service of the nation and formally declared her intention to seek the presidency. Independent surveys have consistently placed her among the most formidable potential candidates for 2028.
Duterte, 47, has frequently criticized Marcos, her former running mate in the 2022 elections, accusing his administration of failing to curb corruption, address rising prices and improve the country’s healthcare system. In her remarks, she acknowledged backing Marcos in 2022 and apologized for that endorsement, saying she hoped to chart a new course.
Under the Philippine constitution, a president is limited to a single six-year term, which means Marcos — elected in 2022 — cannot seek reelection. Duterte’s announcement makes her the first major figure to officially enter the 2028 presidential race.
The bid comes amid significant legal and political challenges for Duterte. She has been the subject of multiple impeachment complaints — most recently filed this month — alleging corruption and betrayal of public trust. Those complaints, if successful, could bar her from public office and complicate her campaign. Earlier efforts to impeach her were dismissed on procedural grounds.
Political analysts say Duterte’s early declaration may be a strategic move to shape the narrative ahead of intensified scrutiny and growing opposition pressure as 2028 approaches.
Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose controversial tenure saw a hardline war on drugs and a pivot toward stronger ties with China — a shift that many analysts say her presidency could further deepen. That stands in contrast with Marcos’s efforts to strengthen relations with the United States.
A presidential spokesperson for Marcos responded by wishing Duterte well in her bid, while disputing her criticisms of the government’s record.
