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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara announces 2028 bid for presidency

VP Sara announces 2028 bid for presidency

Published Feb 18, 2026 11:12 am  |  Updated Feb 18, 2026 01:56 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte announces bid for presidency in the 2028 national elections during a press briefing in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. (Santi San Juan)
Vice President Sara Duterte announces bid for presidency in the 2028 national elections during a press briefing in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. (Santi San Juan)
Vice President Sara Duterte will run for the presidency in 2028.
Duterte's announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 18, came as she made a promise to prioritize, again, the interest and welfare of the Filipino people amid the massive corruption hounding the nation.
Duterte, who herself is facing impeachment cases over her unexplained controversial funds that she dismissed as only politically motivated, said her decision to seek the highest office is "for God, for the nation, and for every Filipino family."
"Mga kababayan, ibalik natin ang tapang at malasakit (My fellow countrymen, let's bring back courage and compassion)," she said in a brief media statement.
"Ako si Sara Duterte, tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas (I am Sara Duterte, and I will run for Philippine presidency)," she added.
Duterte, who had massive influence over Visayas and Mindanao during the previous elections, apologized to the Filipino people for helping elect President Marcos, whom she alleged had become unfaithful to his duty as early as in the first years of his term.
She begged for forgiveness if many Filipinos "remain drowned in massive corruption and abused by institutions because of personal interests," if many continue to suffer from increasing prices of basic needs and lack of food security, and if many die due to the lack of an effective healthcare system.
The Vice President also apologized for the government-funded roads and highways  that always get damaged; for crimes, illegal drugs, and terrorist activities "that gradually get near our doorsteps"; and for our "unclear foreign policy."
"Matagal na akong inaatake gamit ang buong makinarya ng kapangyarihan (They have long been attacking me using the machineries of those in power)," Duterte claimed, citing what she called a "scripted investigation" into her offices, the "kidnapping" of her father, and other allegations.
"Marahil ay matagal na rin akong hinatulan sa mata ng iilan (And perhaps, I have long been judged)," she said, adding that it's the reason why she decided to announce her plans as early as now.
"Hindi ako kailanman natakot sa pagsira nila ng pangalan ko. Ngunit may takot ako para sa ating mga anak. May takot ako para sa mga susunod na henerasyon (I was never afraid of them destroying my name, but I am afraid for our children. I am afraid for the next generations)," she added.
The Vice President said she "cannot kneel before each and every Filipino to beg for forgiveness."
"Instead, I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation," she added.
Duterte said it took her 47 years to understand that her life wasn't really meant to be hers.
"Unlike others, I may not have been born just to chase happiness. For a long time, I questioned the weight of responsibility—to my family, to my country, to everyone who called on me," she said.
"Today, I have peacefully accepted that my life is unlike any other," she added.

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VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE Sara Duterte 2028 ELECTIONS
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