VP Duterte open to running for another office in next polls
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Vice President Sara Duterte declared that she will run again in the next elections, though she did not mention the position she plans to seek.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)
The official made the statement in a speech during an event held in her hometown of Davao City on Monday, Jan. 22.
“Narinig ako na ang aking kapatid na si Mayor Baste at kuya na si Congressman Pulong na nagsabi na hindi na tatakbo sa susunod na eleksyon, kaya narito ako ngayon para mangampanya sa inyo dahil tatakbo ako sa susunod na eleksyon (I heard that my brothers Mayor Baste and Congressman Pulong said that they won’t run in the next election, so I am here now to campaign because I will run in the next election),” she said in Bisaya, according to a local media report.
Duterte was referring to younger brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and their eldest, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
The Vice President did not say what position she hopes to seek, but her term as the country’s number two will end in 2028. A midterm election will be held in 2025, while the national elections for president will be in 2028.
Her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, earlier advised her not to seek the presidency anymore after the House of Representatives questioned her confidential funds.
But in an interview with local media, the Vice President seemed to have backtracked from the statement she made in her speech.
Instead, she said that “we are open to all possibilities, especially in the upcoming elections.”
“Life and politics are just the same. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. So, we are open to all possibilities, especially in the upcoming elections. Running is a personal decision,” she added.
“If God favors you, you will succeed as you work for our country. Thus, entering politics requires a genuinely unique decision. I can only support those who would run for a position.”
The Office of the Vice President (OVP), when asked for clarifications regarding Duterte’s remarks, has yet to issue an official statement.