Sara Duterte Declares Presidential Bid for 2028, Ending UniTeam Alliance
In a dramatic political maneuver that has effectively jump-started the next election cycle years ahead of schedule, Vice President Sara Duterte officially announced her candidacy for the presidency of the Philippines in 2028. The declaration, made on February 18, 2026, signals the definitive collapse of the "UniTeam" alliance that propelled both Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to a decisive landslide victory during the 2022 national elections.
"Rescue" Mission Framed as National Service
During a press conference, Vice President Duterte positioned her unusually early bid as an essential act of national service. She characterized the move as a critical mission to "rescue" the Philippines, explicitly citing what she described as systemic failures and widespread corruption within the current administration under President Marcos Jr.
"Mga kababayan, ibalik natin ang Tapang at Malasakit - Para sa Diyos. Para sa Bayan. At para sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino. Ako si Sara Duterte, tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas," Duterte declared, translating to: "My fellow Filipinos, let us bring back courage and compassion. For God. For the country. And for every Filipino family. I am Sara Duterte, and I will run for president of the Philippines."
In a particularly surprising moment, Duterte extended a public apology for her previous support of President Marcos Jr. in the 2022 election. While refraining from naming specific incidents, she strongly alleged that the current administration has operated with insincerity and has been deeply plagued by corrupt practices.
The Fractured Alliance and Escalating Tensions
The political rift between the two most powerful families in Philippine politics has been intensifying over several years. Tensions reached a boiling point in early 2024 when former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte's father, launched a series of harsh personal insults against Marcos Jr., which the sitting president firmly denied.
Vice President Duterte has concurrently navigated significant political challenges in recent times:
- She resigned from her position as Education Secretary in mid-2024.
- She was embroiled in a heated and public dispute concerning the allocation and use of confidential intelligence funds.
- She has faced multiple impeachment attempts, although the Supreme Court recently dismissed earlier articles on technical procedural grounds.
Traditionally, Philippine presidential candidates wait until the year immediately preceding an election to announce their intentions. By declaring her candidacy more than two full years in advance, Duterte has decisively shifted the nation's political focus from daily governance to an intense, high-stakes electoral battle.
Policy Divisions and Strategic Implications
This profound political schism also underscores deep-seated policy differences between the camps. The Marcos administration has actively pursued strengthened diplomatic and military ties with the United States while adopting a firm stance on territorial claims in the South China Sea. In contrast, the Duterte political faction has historically advocated for closer relations and cooperation with China.
The early announcement may function as a strategic defensive maneuver for Duterte. By formally becoming a candidate, she can now potentially frame any future investigations into her office's expenditures or new impeachment complaints as "politically motivated" attacks orchestrated by her rivals.
Reactions and the Road Ahead
Local political leaders are reacting with measured caution. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro stated that while she acknowledges the Vice President's intention, her immediate priority remains focused on provincial governance and development.
As the political bases known as the "Solid North" (aligned with Marcos) and the "Mindanao Vote" (aligned with Duterte) prepare for direct electoral competition, significant attention is also directed toward the International Criminal Court (ICC). With pre-trial hearings concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war now commencing in the Netherlands, the current Marcos administration may soon confront a difficult decision balancing obligations under international law against the imperatives of domestic political stability.
