Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday that she will run for president of Philippines in 2028, launching an early bid that intensifies her bitter feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. Speaking at a press briefing, Duterte pledged her “life, strength, and future” to the nation while sharply criticizing Marcos’ leadership and accusing his administration of corruption and failing to honor campaign promises made during their once-powerful alliance in the 2022 election.
The declaration comes at a politically sensitive moment, just days before her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is set to begin a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands over alleged crimes against humanity tied to his controversial anti-drug campaign. The looming case adds an international dimension to an already volatile domestic political climate.
Sara Duterte’s relationship with Marcos has unraveled rapidly since their landslide victory, with tensions surfacing weeks after the election when she was denied key Cabinet positions. The rivalry has since escalated into public accusations, impeachment attempts, and competing political offensives, signaling a prolonged struggle between two of the country’s most influential dynasties.
Political analysts say her decision to declare candidacy this early carries both opportunity and risk. Michael Henry Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, described the move as a gamble but noted her strong voter base in Mindanao, the Duterte family’s traditional stronghold, could provide a decisive advantage. Survey data, he said, suggests she remains a formidable contender despite the controversies surrounding her family.
Under the Philippine Constitution, presidents are limited to a single six-year term, preventing Marcos from seeking re-election and potentially clearing the field for a fiercely contested succession race. However, Duterte faces renewed impeachment complaints, including filings by members of the clergy earlier this month. If an impeachment were to proceed to a Senate trial and result in conviction, she could be barred from holding public office, effectively ending her presidential ambitions.
Marcos, meanwhile, is grappling with his own political challenges, including a scandal involving alleged fraudulent flood-control projects that reportedly cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The controversy has drawn in allies and critics alike, fueling broader public dissatisfaction and adding pressure on his administration.
The escalating conflict between the Marcos and Duterte camps has transformed what was once a unity ticket into one of the country’s most consequential political rivalries in decades, with analysts warning that legal battles, policy clashes, and personal attacks are likely to intensify as the 2028 election approaches.
