Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has declared her intention to run for the presidency in the 2028 elections. This announcement comes at a time when she faces multiple impeachment attempts in Congress and potential criminal complaints that could disqualify her from holding public office if found guilty. Duterte made this bold statement during a televised address on Wednesday, where she reiterated allegations of corruption and mismanagement against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with whom she previously formed a political alliance during the 2022 election.
Duterte and her family have accused Marcos of betrayal, particularly regarding the detention of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign. In her speech, Sara Duterte criticized Marcos for failing to fulfill his campaign promises and labeled his governance as misrule. She expressed remorse for the public’s suffering due to issues such as government corruption, rising crime rates, and inflation.
Political Tensions and Impeachment Challenges
Despite her aspirations for the presidency, Duterte’s political future is clouded by ongoing impeachment bids. In the past, she survived an impeachment complaint that was dismissed on a technicality. The House of Representatives had voted to impeach her and forwarded the case to the Senate, but the Supreme Court later ruled that the House violated a constitutional provision that limits the processing of impeachment cases to one per year against any impeachable official.
New impeachment complaints have emerged this month, focusing on her alleged misuse of $10.3 million in confidential funds from her office as vice president and her previous role as education secretary. Additional accusations include claims of unexplained wealth in personal bank accounts, prompting an anti-graft prosecutor to seek access to these accounts for a separate investigation.
During a recent online news conference, Duterte made headlines by threatening to retaliate against Marcos and other officials if she were assassinated. This remark has been cited in one of the impeachment complaints. Despite the gravity of the allegations, her legal counsel, Michael Poa, expressed confidence that a thorough examination would prove the accusations to be unfounded.
Public Reaction and Future Prospects
Marcos, who is limited to a single six-year term, has not publicly responded to Duterte’s announcement or her claims. However, presidential spokesperson Claire Castro urged Duterte to apologize for the various corruption allegations she faces, instead of focusing on damaging others’ reputations. Castro remarked, “She should ask forgiveness for focusing on destroying reputations of other people instead of doing her work and helping the government.”
Duterte’s political strategy and her potential run for the presidency could significantly impact the Philippines’ political landscape. Her criticisms of Marcos and the ongoing discord between them might resonate with voters who are disillusioned by the current administration. As the situation develops, the outcomes of the impeachment proceedings and public perception of her leadership will play crucial roles in shaping her presidential aspirations.
