MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte revealed on Saturday, February 22, 2026, that she has already approached a potential running mate for her 2028 presidential bid.
In an interview with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), Duterte confirmed she made the recruitment as early as last year but declined to name the individual, noting that she is still waiting for their final decision.
Key Context of the Announcement:
- Official Declaration: This follows her formal announcement on Wednesday, February 19, 2026, where she became the first major politician to declare for the 2028 presidential race.
- Symbolic Protest: During the declaration at the OVP headquarters in Mandaluyong, Duterte wore black and ordered the OVP seal and flag removed from the backdrop, stating her presidential run is separate from her official duties. She described the choice of black as a protest against the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
- Tensions with the Administration: The Marcos-Duterte “UniTeam” alliance from 2022 has fully dissolved. Duterte recently faced renewed impeachment attempts in the House of Representatives regarding the use of confidential funds.
- Speculated Alliances: While Duterte remains tight-lipped, rumors in the Senate—floated by Senator Robin Padilla—have suggested a possible tandem with Senator Imee Marcos, who has distanced herself from her brother’s administration and aligned with the Duterte bloc.
Duterte’s early announcement and recruitment efforts signal an aggressive start to what analysts expect to be a highly polarized 2028 election cycle.