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Sara Duterte Announces 2028 Presidential Bid, Apologizes For Backing Bongbong Marcos Jr.
Screengrab from Inday Sara Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday formally declared that she will run for President in 2028, offering what she described as her “life, strength, and future” in service of the nation.
Speaking during a press conference on February 18, Duterte delivered an emotional address that blended personal reflection, political apology, and a direct challenge to the current administration.
“I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation,” she said, before ending with a firm declaration: “I am Sara Duterte. I will run for President of the Philippines.”
A Personal Reckoning
Duterte opened her speech on a reflective note, saying it took her 47 years to understand that her life was never meant to be only hers. She spoke about carrying the weight of responsibility—not just to her family—but to the country and to the people who have called on her to lead.
She said she has come to accept that her path is different, shaped by public duty rather than personal pursuit of happiness.
Break with the Marcos Administration
In a striking portion of her speech, Duterte accused President Bongbong Marcos Jr. of failing to uphold promises made during the campaign and of falling short of his sworn duty to the Filipino people.
She revealed that during the early months of their term, she had already observed what she described as a lack of integrity in the administration. Duterte said she chose to leave the Cabinet after refusing to be part of what she called a corruption-ridden 2025 National Budget, even though she knew as early as 2023 that such a move could lead to her impeachment.
Public Apology
Duterte also issued a direct apology to the Filipino people for supporting Marcos’ presidential bid in 2022.
She asked forgiveness for helping him get elected and expressed regret over issues she linked to the current leadership—rising prices of basic goods, persistent flooding allegedly worsened by corruption, institutional abuse for political interests, food insecurity, and shortcomings in the healthcare system.
“I was never afraid of attacks on my name,” she said, but admitted she fears for the country’s children and future generations.
She voiced concern for Filipinos who have no second passport, no home abroad, and nowhere else to go but the Philippines—even as many struggle with poverty and uncertainty. Duterte warned against a future where poverty is simply accepted as destiny and hope slowly fades.
“More than anything,” she said, “I fear the day when we have no Philippines left to offer our children.”
A Call for Courage and Compassion
Closing her speech, Duterte called on Filipinos to “bring back courage and compassion—for God, for country, and for every Filipino.”
Her announcement sets the stage for what could be a defining and highly contested 2028 presidential race, reshaping political alliances and signaling a dramatic shift from the unity ticket that swept the 2022 elections.
Speaking during a press conference on February 18, Duterte delivered an emotional address that blended personal reflection, political apology, and a direct challenge to the current administration.
“I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation,” she said, before ending with a firm declaration: “I am Sara Duterte. I will run for President of the Philippines.”
A Personal Reckoning
Duterte opened her speech on a reflective note, saying it took her 47 years to understand that her life was never meant to be only hers. She spoke about carrying the weight of responsibility—not just to her family—but to the country and to the people who have called on her to lead.
She said she has come to accept that her path is different, shaped by public duty rather than personal pursuit of happiness.
Break with the Marcos Administration
In a striking portion of her speech, Duterte accused President Bongbong Marcos Jr. of failing to uphold promises made during the campaign and of falling short of his sworn duty to the Filipino people.
She revealed that during the early months of their term, she had already observed what she described as a lack of integrity in the administration. Duterte said she chose to leave the Cabinet after refusing to be part of what she called a corruption-ridden 2025 National Budget, even though she knew as early as 2023 that such a move could lead to her impeachment.
Public Apology
Duterte also issued a direct apology to the Filipino people for supporting Marcos’ presidential bid in 2022.
She asked forgiveness for helping him get elected and expressed regret over issues she linked to the current leadership—rising prices of basic goods, persistent flooding allegedly worsened by corruption, institutional abuse for political interests, food insecurity, and shortcomings in the healthcare system.
“I was never afraid of attacks on my name,” she said, but admitted she fears for the country’s children and future generations.
She voiced concern for Filipinos who have no second passport, no home abroad, and nowhere else to go but the Philippines—even as many struggle with poverty and uncertainty. Duterte warned against a future where poverty is simply accepted as destiny and hope slowly fades.
“More than anything,” she said, “I fear the day when we have no Philippines left to offer our children.”
A Call for Courage and Compassion
Closing her speech, Duterte called on Filipinos to “bring back courage and compassion—for God, for country, and for every Filipino.”
Her announcement sets the stage for what could be a defining and highly contested 2028 presidential race, reshaping political alliances and signaling a dramatic shift from the unity ticket that swept the 2022 elections.
Feb 18, 2026
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