Geline Salac

Duterte scions Sara, Veronica rally allies vs. Marcos bets in 2025 elections

Article (news)

Sara Duterte and Robin Padilla

Kitty Duterte miting

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17467473782711746747374123.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Vice President Sara Duterte together with Senator Robin Padilla endorse the PDP-LABAN senatorial slate during the party’s miting de avance at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila City on May 8, 2025. Among the candidates are Jimmy Bondoc, Bato Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Jayvee Hinlo, Raul Lambino, Rodante Marcoleta, Doc Mata,  Apollo Quiboloy, Vic Rodriguez, and Phillip Salvador. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Shades of green dominated the Liwasang Bonifacio Thursday evening as Vice President Sara Duterte and her youngest sister, Veronica, urged Filipinos in the capital city to vote for senatorial candidates who will continue the so-called Duterte legacy.Speaking at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino’s (PDP) miting de avance, Duterte said the outcome of the 2025 midterm elections will determine if the Philippines is on the path to change or on the path of continued calamity.“Sa kasamaang palad, iniluklok natin ang isang lider na walang kakayahan na maintindihan ang tunay na kalagayan ng mga Pilipino at higit sa lahat hindi kayang magdesisyon para sa kapakanan ng sambayanan,” she said, without naming any politicians.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/7/marcos-jr-says-mondays-election-to-guide-ph-in-next-3-years-2305">Marcos Jr. says Monday&#x27;s election to guide PH in next 3 years</a></div>“Pinagbabayaran natin ngayon ang pagpili ng maling lider,” she said. “Ang boto ninyo ang magbibigay katiyakan kung maituloy ang pagbabago o tuloy tuloy na lang tayo sa kapahamakan.”While the Vice President did not identify who she was referring to, she alluded to the Marcos Jr. administration’s failure to deliver on several key programs, including an “effective food security program,” a hybrid education system, and a “real universal healthcare system.”“Filipinos deserve better… We must return to long-term concrete programs, not short-term dole outs that are being abused by those in power,” the second-in-command said.“Kailangan natin mag vote straight sa mga taong magtuloy sa mga nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte,” she said.<div>VOTE-BUYING</div><div></div>Meantime, Veronica took a swipe at alleged vote buying incidents ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, and urged voters not to exchange their votes for monetary gifts.“Huwag niyong ipagbili ang inyong mga boto. Ipanalo natin ang Duter-10,” she said, referring to the 10 senatorial candidates endorsed by their patriarch.The former president’s youngest daughter took time to thank her father’s allies and assured the public that she, too, will continue to clamor for the return of her father to the Philippines.“Your principles cannot be bribed with money power and influence,” she said.“It will not be forgotten.”The 21-year-old Duterte also left a message for their father, who remains in detention in the Netherlands, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the ICC.“Know that I remain unafraid, unbent, and unswayed, just like you,” she said.“Your battle is my battle. Mabuhay ka at mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”In the last Pulse Asia study before the May 12 elections, PDP candidate Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go clinched the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/5/bong-go-maintains-top-spot-in-pulse-survey-13-other-senate-bets-in-winners-circle-1332">top spot</a> in a senatorial survey.Re-electionist Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa secured a spot in the Magic 12 based on the survey, but the Duterte family’s 10 other candidates have yet to land in the higher brackets of pre-election surveys.Aside from the so-called Duter-10 candidates, the Vice President is also endorsing re-electionist Sen. Imee Marcos and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, 2 senatorial candidates who were once part of Marcos Jr.’s slate.Sen. Marcos and Rep. Villar have distanced themselves from the administration’s coalition after former president Duterte’s arrest in mid-March.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/26/imee-marcos-says-leaving-alyansa-over-differences-over-duterte-arrest-1354">Imee Marcos says leaving Alyansa over differences on Duterte arrest</a></div>

Shades of green dominated the Liwasang Bonifacio Thursday evening as Vice President Sara Duterte and her youngest sister, Veronica, urged Filipinos in the capital city to vote for senatorial candidates who will continue the so-called Duterte legacy.

Shades of green dominated the Liwasang Bonifacio Thursday evening as Vice President Sara Duterte and her youngest sister, Veronica, urged Filipinos in the capital city to vote for senatorial candidates who will continue the so-called Duterte legacy.