In a dramatic escalation of Philippine political tensions, Vice President Sara Duterte declared her presidential candidacy for the 2028 elections on Wednesday, triggering immediate backlash from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration and opposition groups. The announcement comes amid three pending impeachment complaints against Duterte and her father’s impending trial at the International Criminal Court.
President Marcos’ spokesperson, Claire Castro, delivered a terse response to Duterte’s announcement, stating, “Good luck, that’s all we can say,” in remarks widely interpreted as sarcastic. Castro notably challenged Duterte’s claim of responsibility for Marcos’ 2022 electoral victory, emphasizing that “it was the people who did it” rather than any single individual.
Opposition groups condemned Duterte’s presidential bid as a calculated diversion tactic. The activist alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) characterized the move as “a desperate, shameless, and opportunist act” designed to deflect attention from serious allegations of corruption and misuse of confidential funds. The Makabayan Coalition similarly denounced the announcement as “a cynical and desperate attempt” to control political narratives and evade accountability.
The timing of Duterte’s declaration coincides with the House of Representatives preparing to refer three impeachment complaints to its Committee on Justice. These complaints allege corruption involving hundreds of millions in public funds that were reportedly disbursed without proper documentation or oversight.
As the highest-ranking government official in her family following former President Rodrigo Duterte’s imprisonment by the ICC, Sara Duterte now represents the political dynasty’s standard bearer. Her relationship with Marcos has deteriorated significantly since their 2022 alliance, with recorded threats against the president and other officials.
The announcement has sparked polarized reactions across social media platforms, with overseas Filipinos largely supporting her candidacy while Marcos loyalists predict her potential imprisonment within the year. Prominent voices like stage actor Mae Paner have called for opposition unity to prevent another Duterte or Marcos from assuming the presidency in 2028.