Impeached VP Duterte still ‘seriously considering’ running in 2028 polls

Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the members of the media during a press conference at the Office of the Vice President  in Mandaluyong City on Friday, February 7, 2025. (Picture from ARNEL TACSON /INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said she is still “seriously considering” running in the 2028 elections despite her impeachment at the House of Representatives.

However, Duterte said she will also still have to assess her odds of winning the race before actually taking part in it.

“Wala pa tayo dyan, pero nasabi ko naman na we are seriously considering that,” said Duterte in a press conference when asked what her plans are for the 2028 elections following her impeachment.

(We’re not yet there, but I’ve already said before that we are seriously considering that.)

“But it’s difficult to decide without numbers. Kailangang malaman ‘yung surveys and numbers eh. Next year pa ‘yon,” she added.

(We have to know the survey results and numbers, and that will be released next year.)

Duterte did not specify if she will be running for president or another position in 2028.

The vice president was impeached at the House of Representatives level on Wednesday with a total of 215 House members voting in favor of her removal from office.

This means that if she will be convicted by the Senate, serving as an impeachment court, Duterte might be permanently barred from public office, including the presidency that will result in the 2028 elections.

READ: Sara Duterte impeached; House gets 215 to sign

Despite this penalty in mind, Duterte said she is not yet considering resigning from her post as vice president.

No plans for 2025 elections, campaign season yet

Duterte, in the same press conference, said she has no plans for the 2025 elections yet, including whether she will endorse Senatorial candidates or not.

“Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan kung ano ang gagawin ko for the upcoming campaign and the election,” she noted.

(We haven’t discussed what I will do for the upcoming campaign and the election yet.)

But she expressed a desire to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in its efforts on voter education.

“Pero nasabi ko na noon na patuloy ang trabaho namin [Office of the Vice President] and isa sa mga trabaho namin ay gusto naming tumulong sa Comelec sa voter education, particularly sa ‘wag ibenta ang iboto, ‘wag gumamit ng dahas.’ Mga ganoon,” she said.

(But I have already said that our work continues and one of our jobs is that we want to help the Comelec in voter education, particularly on not selling votes, not using violence. Things like that.)