MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla on Sunday, February 22, 2026, officially declared that he has no plans to run for Vice President in the 2028 national elections, putting an end to recent speculation about his political ambitions.
Key Points from the Clarification:
- Official Stance: In a Facebook post, Padilla explicitly stated, “[I] have no plans to be a vice presidential candidate.”
- Party Discipline: The confusion stemmed from earlier remarks made on Friday, where Padilla said he would be open to the post if former President Rodrigo Duterte (Chairman of PDP-Laban) asked him to run. He clarified that this was a matter of “party discipline” and following the rules of their political organization, rather than a personal desire for the office.
- Support for Allies: Padilla remains a staunch ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, who recently became the first politician to officially declare her 2028 presidential bid.
- Addressing Critics: The senator pushed back against those questioning his earlier statements, emphasizing that in a political party, the chairman ultimately decides the slate, and his previous openness was merely a sign of loyalty to the party hierarchy.
This clarification comes amidst a flurry of early 2028 election activity, including rumors of other potential tandems involving the Duterte bloc.