FEATURE
Advocates Philippines
Who Is Sara Duterte?
Photo credit: Inday Sara Duterte's FB
Sara Zimmerman Duterte, better known to many Filipinos as Inday Sara — “Inday” meaning beloved in the Visayan language — currently serves as the 15th Vice President of the Philippines. She is the second child of former president Rodrigo Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman Duterte, a former flight attendant and teacher.
Her rise in politics was almost destined, growing up in a family deeply rooted in public service. Sara started her career briefly as a Court Attorney at the Supreme Court in 2006, before stepping into local politics as Vice Mayor of Davao City from 2007 to 2010, and then becoming the city’s youngest mayor ever elected in 2010.
Even as a newcomer, she impressed with transformational leadership. Her first major project, Inday Para sa Barangay, brought government services directly to all 182 barangays each year — now called the Caravan of Government Services. As mayor, she also launched the Davao Life is Here brand, boosting the city’s profile for business, investment, and tourism.
Under her leadership, Davao Region saw its Gross Regional Domestic Product jump from 3.9% in 2011 to 7.1% in 2012, while Davao City racked up 36 awards in just two years for governance, business, tourism, health, environment, and more. She also held roles in the National Movement of Young Legislators and the League of Cities of the Philippines.
Sara took a break from politics in 2013 to work as a partner lawyer at Carpio & Duterte Lawyers and prepared for the judiciary, while also serving on the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross in 2014. She returned to the mayoralty in 2016 with her Byaheng Do30 program — 30 projects across ten priority sectors, from education and health to peace and order — and continued it in 2019 as Byaheng Do30 – The Second Trip. Her administration earned Davao City 117 awards between 2017 and 2021 and recognition among the richest and most competitive cities in the country.
Sara’s leadership has drawn international attention, including a 2012 nomination for the prestigious World Mayor Awards, and in 2021 she was named the Philippines’ Top Performing Mayor with a 93% rating by an independent survey. Her advocacy projects, like Peace 911, Magnegosyo Ta ‘Day, Pagbabago Campaign, and the Kean Gabriel Hotline, reflect her commitment to peace, livelihood, and child protection.
Beyond politics, Sara is actively involved in the military and police: she is an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984, the Philippine National Police Academy Tagapagkalinga Class of 1991, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and a Colonel in the Army Reserve Command.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from San Pedro College in Davao City and a Juris Doctor from San Sebastian College – Recoletos in Manila. She completed further leadership training at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College and the Development Academy of the Philippines. She has been recognized with multiple awards for public service, including distinguished alumna honors from both San Sebastian and San Beda Colleges.
She is married to lawyer Manases Reyes Carpio, and together they have three children: Shark, Stingray, and Stonefish.
From her early days in law to transforming Davao City into a national model and now serving as Vice President, Inday Sara Duterte’s journey is defined by leadership, service, and a drive to shape the Philippines’ future. Recently, she also announced her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, signaling the next step in her political trajectory.
Her rise in politics was almost destined, growing up in a family deeply rooted in public service. Sara started her career briefly as a Court Attorney at the Supreme Court in 2006, before stepping into local politics as Vice Mayor of Davao City from 2007 to 2010, and then becoming the city’s youngest mayor ever elected in 2010.
Even as a newcomer, she impressed with transformational leadership. Her first major project, Inday Para sa Barangay, brought government services directly to all 182 barangays each year — now called the Caravan of Government Services. As mayor, she also launched the Davao Life is Here brand, boosting the city’s profile for business, investment, and tourism.
Under her leadership, Davao Region saw its Gross Regional Domestic Product jump from 3.9% in 2011 to 7.1% in 2012, while Davao City racked up 36 awards in just two years for governance, business, tourism, health, environment, and more. She also held roles in the National Movement of Young Legislators and the League of Cities of the Philippines.
Sara took a break from politics in 2013 to work as a partner lawyer at Carpio & Duterte Lawyers and prepared for the judiciary, while also serving on the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross in 2014. She returned to the mayoralty in 2016 with her Byaheng Do30 program — 30 projects across ten priority sectors, from education and health to peace and order — and continued it in 2019 as Byaheng Do30 – The Second Trip. Her administration earned Davao City 117 awards between 2017 and 2021 and recognition among the richest and most competitive cities in the country.
Sara’s leadership has drawn international attention, including a 2012 nomination for the prestigious World Mayor Awards, and in 2021 she was named the Philippines’ Top Performing Mayor with a 93% rating by an independent survey. Her advocacy projects, like Peace 911, Magnegosyo Ta ‘Day, Pagbabago Campaign, and the Kean Gabriel Hotline, reflect her commitment to peace, livelihood, and child protection.
Beyond politics, Sara is actively involved in the military and police: she is an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984, the Philippine National Police Academy Tagapagkalinga Class of 1991, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and a Colonel in the Army Reserve Command.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from San Pedro College in Davao City and a Juris Doctor from San Sebastian College – Recoletos in Manila. She completed further leadership training at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College and the Development Academy of the Philippines. She has been recognized with multiple awards for public service, including distinguished alumna honors from both San Sebastian and San Beda Colleges.
She is married to lawyer Manases Reyes Carpio, and together they have three children: Shark, Stingray, and Stonefish.
From her early days in law to transforming Davao City into a national model and now serving as Vice President, Inday Sara Duterte’s journey is defined by leadership, service, and a drive to shape the Philippines’ future. Recently, she also announced her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, signaling the next step in her political trajectory.
Feb 20, 2026
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