Sara Duterte Declares 2028 Presidential Run, Apologizes for Backing Marcos in 2022

Vice President Sara Duterte has officially declared that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections, while also issuing an apology for supporting Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 presidential race.

In a recent announcement, Duterte confirmed her intention to seek the country’s top post, positioning herself as an early contender in the next presidential election cycle.

During the same remarks, the vice president also expressed regret over her role in helping Marcos secure victory in 2022, when they ran together under the UniTeam ticket that won by a landslide.

Duterte’s apology marks a significant political development, reflecting the deepening rift between the Marcos and Duterte camps, once considered the most powerful alliance in Philippine politics. Observers say the fallout between the two families has intensified in recent years amid policy disputes, political tensions, and legal controversies.

The vice president, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, remains one of the country’s most influential political figures, with a strong base of support across several regions. Her early declaration is expected to trigger political realignments and coalition-building among parties and potential contenders ahead of the 2028 elections.

With more than two years before the next presidential vote, analysts say Duterte’s announcement and her public apology signals the start of a new political phase that could redefine alliances and rivalries in the country’s leadership race.