Sara Duterte Declares 2028 Presidential Run Amid Legal Battles
Vice President Sara Duterte announced a 2028 presidential bid while facing impeachment complaints and criminal probes that allege misuse of $10.3 million in confidential funds.
Overview
Vice President Sara Duterte said she will run for the presidency in the 2028 elections in a televised speech and left without taking questions.
Her bid faces new impeachment attempts in Congress and criminal complaints that could ban her from public office if she is convicted.
A presidential spokesperson, Claire Castro, said Duterte should apologize for alleged irregularities and warned voters that "somebody who is seeking your vote maybe a Manchurian candidate."
Impeachment complaints filed this month center on alleged illegal use and mishandling of $10.3 million in confidential funds from the vice president's office and her time as education secretary.
An anti-graft prosecutor has said his agency is trying to gain access to Duterte's personal bank accounts as part of a separate criminal investigation.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this coverage neutrally, attributing allegations and including defenses, legal context and outcomes—reporting impeachment complaints, Supreme Court ruling, Duterte’s televised announcement and Castro’s rebuttal. Language is factual and sourced, avoiding loaded labels; emphasis is on documented claims and procedural developments rather than editorial judgment.
Sources (4)
FAQ
The impeachment complaints allege illegal use and mishandling of $10.3 million in confidential funds from her vice president's office and during her time as education secretary.
Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr. were allies and running mates who won in a landslide in 2022, but their feud simmered soon after and exploded into public conflict in 2025, with Duterte accusing Marcos of corruption and failing campaign promises.
She announced her 2028 presidential run in a televised speech on February 18, 2026, stating 'I am Sara Duterte. I will run for president of the Philippines,' accused Marcos of corruption, asked for public forgiveness, and left without taking questions.
Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro said Duterte should apologize for alleged irregularities and corruption, and warned voters that she might be a 'Manchurian candidate.'
Conviction on the criminal complaints could ban her from public office; she faced a prior impeachment last year that was dismissed by the Supreme Court on procedural grounds, with new attempts ongoing.
History
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