Vice Pres. Sara Duterte held a press conference at OVP Central Office, Mandaluyong City on Feb. 18, 2026. In the same briefing, she announced her presidential bid for 2028. Screen grabbed from Inday Sara Duterte livestream.
Vice President Sara Duterte said she had identified a prospective running mate for her planned 2028 presidential bid as early as last year but declined to disclose the person’s identity.
In an interview aired Saturday on Sonshine Media Network International, Duterte stated that she had already approached someone for the role, adding that she could not reveal further details pending the individual’s final decision.
Earlier in the week, the vice president publicly confirmed her intention to run for president in 2028 during a press briefing held at the Office of the Vice President headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
Before making the announcement, she had staff remove the official seal and flag of the Office of the Vice President from the backdrop, saying the declaration was made in a personal capacity and not connected to her office.
Duterte also explained that her black attire during the event symbolized protest, which she associated with her political stance against the current administration.
Tensions between the Marcos and Duterte political camps have persisted, particularly after Duterte stepped down as education secretary in June 2024.
The rift between the two camps has since shaped political alignments, with some figures repositioning themselves amid the ongoing rivalry.
Meanwhile, the idea of potential alliances for the 2028 elections has surfaced in political discussions, including suggestions in the Senate about possible tandem options involving figures from both political blocs.
