PHILIPPINES: Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday formally declared that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections, marking the start of what could be a defining political contest in the coming years.
“Ako si Sara Duterte tatakbo bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas,” Duterte said during a press conference where she made the announcement. Before delivering her speech, she ordered the removal of the Office of the Vice President logo from the podium. She did not take questions from the media after her remarks.
In her five-page speech, Duterte acknowledged public frustration over ongoing national issues and apologized for supporting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections.
“Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa inyong lahat. Patawad kung tinulungan kong mahalal si BBM bilang Pangulo ng ating bansa,” she said.
Duterte accused the administration of failing to fulfill campaign promises and uphold sworn duties. She cited rising prices of basic goods, flooding, food insecurity, weak healthcare systems, crumbling infrastructure, and the continued threat of crime, illegal drugs, and terrorism as major concerns.
She also criticized what she described as the absence of a clear and independent foreign policy, warning that the Philippines risks being caught between global superpowers.
The Vice President said she resigned from her Cabinet post after deciding she could not support what she called a 2025 national budget “tainted with corruption.” She claimed she anticipated that her resignation could lead to impeachment proceedings.
“Dahil hindi ko kinayang maging bahagi ng 2025 national budget na tadtad ng katiwalian, pinili kong umalis sa Gabinete,” she said.
Duterte also alleged politically motivated investigations aimed at damaging her reputation, describing congressional inquiries as “scripted.” While she said she was not afraid for herself, she expressed concern for younger generations and the country’s future.
Her announcement comes amid ongoing impeachment complaints. On January 29, Duterte said the government should move on after the Supreme Court affirmed its ruling declaring earlier articles of impeachment against her unconstitutional. However, new impeachment complaints were filed on February 2 and February 9, including one from religious groups, priests, and lawyers alleging betrayal of public trust and misuse of at least P612 million in confidential funds.
These complaints have been transmitted to the Office of the Speaker for further action.
With more than two years before the 2028 elections, Duterte’s early declaration signals a major political shift. Filipinos can expect heightened political debate in the months ahead as potential contenders begin positioning themselves for the next national race.
Her Full speech during the Press conference below:
Proverbs 19:21 states, “Many are the plans in the person’s heart, but it is in the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
It took me 47 years to understand that my life to be only mine. Unlike others, I may not have been born just to chase happiness.
For a long time, I have questioned the weight of responsibility – to my family, to my country, to everyone who called on me.
Today, I have peacefully accepted that my life isn’t any other.
Sa unang mga buwan ng aming mga termino, nakita ko na ang kawalan ng katapatan ni Bongbong Marcos Jr. sa mga pangakong binitawan noong kampanya, pati na sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin para sa bayan, dahil hindi ko kinayang maging bahagi ng 2025 National Budget na tadtad ng katiwalian. Pinili kong umalis sa gabinete kahit na alam ko na noon pang 2023 na ang magiging kapalit ay ang aking impeachment.
Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin.
Patawad kung tinulungan ko mahalala si BBM bilang pangulo ng ating bansa.
Patawad kung hanggang ngayon ay marami pa ring pilipino ang nalulunod sa baha nang dahil sa malawakang korapsyon.
Patawad kung lantaran ang pang-aabuso ng ating mga institusyon para sa pansariling interes ng mga pulitiko.
Patawad kung patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin habang nananatiling kapos ang kita ng bawat pamilya.
Patawad kung wala man lang tayong tunay na seguridad sa pagkain.
Patawad kung may nagkakasakit at binabawian bigla ng buhay dahil sa kakulangan ng maayos at epektibong health care system.
Hindi ako kailanman natakot sa pagsira nila sa pangalan ko, ngunit may takot ako para sa ating mga anak. May takot ako para sa susunod na henerasyon. May takot ako para sa mga kababayan nating walang bahay sa ibang bansa. Walang pangalawang pasaporte. Walang ibang matatakbuhan kundi ang Pilipinas kahit ito’y patuloy na nalulugmok sa kahirapan.
Naa koy kahadlok nga moabot ang adlaw nga dawaton na lang nato ang kapobrehon isip kapalaran. Nga maanad na ta sa sayop, nga mawad-an na lang ta og paglaum. Ug labaw sa tanan, naa koy kahadlok nga moabot ang adlaw nga wala na tay Pilipinas nga ikahatag sa atong mga anak. (Mayroon akong takot na darating ang araw na tatanggapin na lang natin ang kahirapan bilang kapalaran. Na masasanay na tayo sa mali, na mawawalan na lang tayo ng pag-asa. At higit sa lahat, mayroon akong takot na darating ang araw na wala na tayong Pilipinas na maibibigay sa ating mga anak.)
I cannot kneel before each and every Filipino for forgiveness. Instead, I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation. Mga kababayan, ibalik natin ang tapang at malasakit para sa Diyos, sa bayan, at para sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino.
Ako si Sara Duterte, tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas.