Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s purported plan for a 2028 comeback in the event his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is convicted by the Senate impeachment court is a sign of “pure desperation” and a blatant disregard of the Constitution, House leaders said Friday.

No less than Davao Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, a prominent ally of the erstwhile chief executive, bared the purported plan recently, claiming that the VP’s possible conviction may force the 79-year-old Duterte to try and capture the presidency for her.

“This is the most desperate plan I’ve seen. It shows they’ve run out of cards to play. They have admitted that their bet has lost, and there is no other card throw amid the negative issues they are facing,” said House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V, noting that it would be difficult for the Dutertes to capture the highest post as the public is now well aware that they are “pro-China.”

Even before her historic impeachment last week, Vice President Duterte openly admitted her intention to run for president in 2028. She has consistently led surveys as the preferred successor to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with whom she has had a bitter falling out.

However, her possible conviction by the Senate impeachment court will likely put a stop to the VP’s presidential ambition since conviction would perpetually disqualify her from holding public office.

Alvarez implied that in case the impeachment trial prospers in the Senate and blocks the VP from running, the former president can take over since the constitutional ban applies only to the incumbent president seeking reelection.

“Remember, the prohibition in the Constitution is reelection. When you say reelection, he must be a sitting president. President Rodrigo Duterte is not the sitting president now,” Alvarez noted.

However, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, a lawyer and a member of the prosecution panel against Duterte, said otherwise.

“The 1987 Constitution expressly provides that the president is not eligible for any re-election. The word any means he can no longer run in any presidential election, whether the succeeding presidential election or thereafter,” Chua told DAILY TRIBUNE.

Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre also told TRIBUNE that a re-election for president is explicitly prohibited by the Constitution and “there is no need to qualify the plain language of the law.”

Ortega warned the public to be wary of being misled by the political maneuvering, saying it is a fine example of a “scam.”

“It’s evil to think that we can just fool the people with misinformation when our Constitution strictly prohibits the reelection of a president,” Ortega asserted.

Under Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution, the president cannot seek re-election and cannot qualify for the same office after serving more than four years.

Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio also dismissed Alvarez’s proposal, saying that former president Duterte could not serve more than one term.

Supporters of VP Duterte have suggested that she step down to prevent a possible conviction that could block her presidential ambition. But the unfazed VP insisted she has not considered such an option.

Palace won’t respond to Duterte

Meanwhile, Malacañang has declined to comment on former President Duterte’s statements against President Marcos.

During the PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally last Thursday, Duterte did not hold back as he shared his thoughts on the President.

Duterte accused Marcos anew of using illegal drugs, particularly heroin.

“There is a president who is really high. He’s not crazy, but the drug habit, that’s long term. Marcos will go crazy, maybe with the constant use of heroin. He will reach 80, but by that time he won’t be able to move. He’ll just be standing in his room,” he said.

When asked for a response, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez told Palace reporters, “No comment here.”

‘Kill the senators’

Duterte also took a swipe at the current senators suggesting that they be “killed” to make room for his party’s candidates.

“Now there are many of them. What should we do? Let’s kill the senators now to free up seats. If we can kill fifteen senators, then we’ll all be in,” he said.

This was not the first time the two leaders exchanged words.

In January 2024, Duterte called Marcos “bangag” (drug-addled) who was addicted to drugs before and now as President.

He also claimed that Marcos was once on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The PDEA later denied the allegations saying Marcos was never on their watchlist.

Marcos later responded, saying Duterte’s antics were a result of his alleged fentanyl use.

“I think it’s the fentanyl. Fentanyl is the strongest painkiller that you can buy. It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects, and PRRD has been taking the drug for a very long time now,” Marcos said, urging Duterte’s physicians to take care of him.