VP Sara Faces Deadline for 2028 Presidential Bid Decision

VICE President Sara Duterte confirmed that her supporters have set a firm deadline of December 2026 for her to decide whether she will run for president in the 2028 national elections.

Calls for her candidacy have grown louder following the success of several candidates she endorsed in the May 2025 polls, fueling speculation that she may be eyeing the country’s top post.

Speaking to the media on May 17 after a Thanksgiving Mass at the Carmelite Church in Davao City, Duterte said she still has plenty of time to weigh her options, similar to how events unfolded in 2021 when she initially resisted calls to seek higher office but eventually ran for vice president.

She recalled that in 2019, she declined suggestions to run for the Senate, and in early 2021, publicly stated she would not run for president in 2022.

“As I’ve said before—back in 2019, when asked about running for senator, I said no. In 2022, I was asked if I’d run for president, and I made it clear as early as January 2021 that I would not. My decision to run as vice president was influenced by circumstances after the filing deadline. Now, for 2028, my supporters have given me until December 2026 to decide. If I don’t decide by then, they will look for another presidential candidate. So, I still have more than a year,” she explained.

Duterte acknowledged that shifting political dynamics influenced her decision to run in 2022, and similar factors may come into play again. She added that while her supporters are eager for her to pursue the presidency, they are also prepared to back another candidate if she declines.

In the same interview, Duterte announced upcoming overseas engagements, including a visit to Doha, Qatar, by the end of May. The trip aims to connect with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and pro-Duterte supporters, particularly those who were recently detained for joining an unauthorized rally in support of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD). Although they have since been released, Duterte said she wants to personally thank and comfort them. A thanksgiving event is scheduled in Qatar on May 27.

Following this, she plans to focus on an international campaign in support of her father, who is facing proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC). A rally titled “ICC, Send FPRRD Home” will be held on May 31 in The Hague, Netherlands, with more events planned in other countries. 

She noted that preparations are underway to secure permits and added that she would forgo her birthday celebration this year to concentrate on the ICC campaign.

As interest in her 2028 prospects continues to build, Duterte also addressed speculation about a possible impeachment case against her. She confirmed that preparations for such a case are underway. While noting that her political opponents may attempt to use legal maneuvers to avoid a full trial, she said she would rather see it proceed, bluntly stating that she “truly wants a bloodbath.”

The statement, though controversial, reflects her combative stance as political tensions continue to rise on the national stage. DEF