Vice President Sara Duterte has made one thing clear — her decision to run for president in 2028 has nothing to do with the impeachment complaints now pending against her in the House of Representatives.
“Hindi naman,” she said calmly during an interview in Iligan City.
Not really.
For Duterte, the threat of impeachment is nothing new. It has lingered in the background for years — constant, unmoving, almost predictable.
“Kahapon, bukas, ngayon, ang impeachment ay nandyan,” she said.
Yesterday. Tomorrow. Today. The impeachment is there.
But, she stressed, it was never part of her decision-making process.
“Ang pag-decision ko, hindi siya kasali, iyong factor ng impeachment.”
Impeachment was not a factor.
A Declaration That Echoed
On February 18, during a press conference that instantly reshaped the political conversation, Duterte made her announcement without hesitation.
“Ako si Sara Duterte, tatakbo bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas.”
I am Sara Duterte. I will run for president of the Philippines.
It was firm. Direct. Unapologetic.
At the time of her declaration, four impeachment complaints had already been filed against her. These have since been referred to the House Committee on Justice — the formal start of the process.
Yet, for Duterte, the political storm swirling around her was not the reason she stepped forward.
A Message From The Hague
Before going public, she made sure someone important knew.
Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte — now detained in The Hague, Netherlands — was informed of her decision. He is currently facing crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.
According to the Vice President, her father’s lawyers relayed the news to him ahead of his ICC confirmation of charges hearing.
“Nagpadala siya ng maikling sulat doon sa abugado,” she revealed.
He sent a short letter through his lawyers.
But when asked about its contents, she paused.
“Hindi pa ako nakapagpaalam sa abogado ni PRRD kung pwede kong ibahagi sa inyo.”
She has yet to ask permission to share the message publicly.
There was emotion in that restraint — a daughter choosing her words carefully, navigating both politics and family under the glare of public scrutiny.
The Moment of Decision
Duterte said the decision did not happen overnight.
It came during the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Doon ako nagsimula mag-ampo, mag-reflect, magdasal, magmuni-muni.”
That was when she began to pray. To reflect. To think deeply.
It was not framed as strategy. It was framed as contemplation.
But by her account, the political attacks had already begun long before her official declaration.
“As early as 2023,” she said, people were already assuming she would run — and the demolition job had already started.
“Sinimulan na nila ‘yung pagsira sa pangalan ko.”
They began tearing down her name.
So she asked herself a simple question:
Why delay the announcement… if the attacks were already happening?
“So bakit ko pa ba ide-delay ‘yung pagsabi na tatakbo ako kung nakapag desisyon na?”
If she had already decided, why wait?
A Brief Reaction
When asked about the meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his former presidential rival, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Duterte did not elaborate.
Her response was short.
“Good luck.”
Two words. No explanation.
A Political Chapter Just Beginning
With her declaration, the 2028 presidential race has unofficially begun — years ahead of schedule.
Impeachment complaints remain pending. Political alliances are shifting. The international case against her father continues.
But Duterte’s message is steady:
The decision to run was personal.
It was deliberate.
And, she insists, it was not born out of pressure.
Whether the public believes that — and how the political winds will shift — remains to be seen.
For now, one thing is certain.
Sara Duterte has entered the race.
