Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has officially announced her candidacy for the presidency in 2028, condemning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for corruption and insincerity amid political crisis and multiple impeachment petitions filed against her.
Sara Duterte, Vice President of the Philippines, has officially declared she will run for president in 2028 to lead the country of over 116 million people. This announcement comes amid deepening conflicts with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a former ally who won the 2022 election alongside her.
In a press conference today (18 Feb), Sara sharply criticized Marcos’s performance, saying, "I dedicate my life, strength, and future to serving the nation." She stated she perceived Marcos's insincerity from his first months in office, both regarding campaign promises and his duties to the country. She also accused the current administration of corruption.
This announcement came just days before her father and former president Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands on charges of crimes against humanity related to his harsh anti-drug campaign.
Michael Henry Yusingco, senior researcher at Ateneo Policy Center, described this declaration as a "major risk" but noted Sara still commands a strong base in Mindanao, her family's stronghold, and most opinion polls remain favorable to her. However, her father’s absence could affect supporters’ morale.
Under the Philippine constitution, the president serves only a single six-year term, meaning Marcos cannot run again in the next election. Nevertheless, Marcos's government is expected to respond forcefully, with experts predicting a full push to impeach Sara.
Currently, Sara faces three impeachment complaints. Most recently, on 9 February, a group of Filipino clergy filed charges against her. If convicted, she would be disqualified from politics and barred from running for president immediately.
The conflict between Marcos and Duterte erupted just weeks after their 2022 election victory when Sara was denied her preferred cabinet post and instead appointed Education Secretary. She also faced controversy over allegedly threatening Marcos’s life in a statement she later said was misunderstood.
Meanwhile, Marcos himself faces scandal over a fake flood control project causing billions of dollars in damage, which has negatively impacted the government’s image.
/sourceAFP