Salvador Panelo, former presidential legal counsel, has recommended that former President Rodrigo Duterte consider running as vice president alongside his daughter, Sara Duterte, in the 2028 national elections.
During a press conference in Quezon City, Panelo suggested, “Mr. President, my advice is for you to run for mayor first to demonstrate leadership in Davao. Then, in 2028, run as vice president with your daughter. A Duterte-Duterte tandem could bring back all your former allies and secure a victory.”
Although Duterte did not commit to the idea, he expressed openness to exploring possibilities. Panelo remarked, “With the Dutertes, you never know what they might decide.”
Sara Duterte, currently vice president, recently stated that she has not yet decided on her political plans for 2028, noting that the election is still four years away. Despite this, she remains a leading contender in various polls for potential presidential candidates.
Rodrigo Duterte, who served as the Philippines’ 16th president from 2016 to 2022, was succeeded by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was Sara Duterte’s running mate.
In recent developments, Sara Duterte resigned from her roles as Education Secretary and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, citing the best interests of the department and concern for educators and students. She also issued an apology to followers of Apollo Quiboloy, a close Duterte ally facing serious charges, for supporting Marcos in the 2022 elections.