Former Albay Representative Joey Salceda on Saturday, 21 February 2026, described Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration to run for president in 2028 as a “misguided gamble” that “leaves a bad taste in the mouth.” He warned that the early announcement appears driven by the wrong political instincts at the wrong time.

Salceda, who campaigned for Duterte in 2022 and publicly promoted her potential presidential bid before she ran and won as vice president, said the move was premature and unnecessary, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. set to serve until June 2028.

“Hanggang June 2028 si Marcos pa rin ang Presidente. I once worked with her, pero this time around, I think it is hindi OA (overacting) magsabi na it is an ill-advised move. I think it is a misguided gamble,” Salceda, former chairman of the House Committees on Ways and Means and on Appropriations, said during the Saturday Media Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

His remarks carry particular weight given his past support for Duterte’s national ambitions.

“In 2022, I was promoting Sara for presidency. You can go back to your files,” said the former lawmaker and governor of Albay province.

Salceda stressed that presidential bids are strongest when they arise from genuine public clamor, not early positioning.

“I think I would have wanted that there should be a clamor for her. Let the people proclaim you,” he added.

Duterte’s announcement comes amid multiple impeachment complaints filed against her in the House of Representatives and ongoing proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) involving her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs.