Vice President Sara Duterte has formally announced that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections.
Photo: Office of the Vice President of the Philippines/Facebook
In a surprise announcement that was streamed on her Facebook page on February 18, Sara declared: “I am Sara Duterte, and I will run for president of the Philippines.”
“I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation,” she added, refusing to take questions from reporters after the speech.
The declaration comes after new impeachment proceedings were filed against her in the House of Representatives over her alleged misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as Department of Education secretary and as Vice President, among other issues. She allegedly misused ₱612.5 million in confidential funds within her first 18 months in office.
Furthermore, the speech was also seen as a direct jab at her former ally and running mate, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Patawad kung tinulungan kong mahalal si BBM bilang pangulo ng ating bansa. Patawad kung hanggang ngayon ay marami pa ring Pilipino ang nalulunod sa baha ng dahil sa malawakang korupsyon. Patawad kung lantaran ang pag-aabuso ng ating mga institution para sa pansariling interes ng mga politiko. Patawad kung patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangahing 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 nang maayos at epektibong healthcare system,” she remarked.
Prior to becoming vice president, Sara Duterte served as mayor of Davao City from 2010 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2022. She is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been detained at the ICC Detention Centre in The Hague.
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