Sara Duterte announces bid for 2028 presidency

Vice President Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday, 18 February, that she will run for president in the 2028 elections, as she urged Filipinos "to bring back courage and compassion for God, for the country, and for every Filipino family."

"Ako si Sarah Duterte, tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas," Duterte said in a press briefing.

The Vice President apologized for teaming up with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos and for helping him win in the 2022 elections.

"Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Patawad kung tinulungan ko mahalal si BBM bilang pangulo ng ating bansa," she said.

Duterte asked for forgiveness that, until now, many Filipinos are still drowning in floods due to widespread corruption.

She also asked for forgiveness if the abuse of institutions for the self-interest of politicians is blatant, if the prices of basic goods continue to increase while the income of every family remains insufficient, and if there is no genuine food security.

The Vice President also apologized that people are getting sick and losing their lives unexpectedly due to the lack of a proper and effective healthcare system.

"Hindi ako kailanman natakot sa pagsira nila sa pangalan ko. Ngunit may takot ako para sa ating mga anak," she said.

"May takot ako para sa susunod na henerasyon. May takot ako para sa mga kababayan nating walang bahay sa ibang bansa. Walang pangalawang pasaporte, walang ibang matatakbuhan kundi ang Pilipinas," the Vice President added.

Duterte also said that 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 that it took her 47 years to understand that her life was never meant to be only her own.

"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. Today, I have peacefully accepted that my life is unlike any other," she said.

Duterte also claimed that she had already seen President Marcos' lack of honesty during the first few months of their terms.

"Sa mga pangakong binitawan noong kampanya, pati na sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin para sa bayan. Dahil hindi ko kinaya na maging bahagi ng 2025 national budget na tadtad ng katiwalian. Pinili ko umalis sa gabinete—kahit alam ko na, mula pa noong 2023, na ang magiging kapalit ay ang aking impeachment," she said.