Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA - Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday said she has already ‘recruited’ last year her running mate for the 2028 elections.</p><p>However, she declined to reveal the name to &quot;protect&quot; the person.</p><p>“May ni-recruit ako, hanggang diyan lang sasabihin ko,” Duterte said in an interview with SMNI’s ‘Vox Populi’ program aired Saturday, February 21.</p><p>“Ni-recruit ko siya last year pa, kaso wag na muna natin ‘yan pag-usapan. Protektahan natin ‘yung tao hanggang sa makapagdesisyon siya kung anong gagawin niya sa karera niya,” she added.  </p><p>Duterte announced Wednesday that she will seek the presidency in the 2028 elections.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/20/sara-duterte-s-presidential-bid-not-material-in-impeachment-proceedings-luistro-1409"><strong>Sara Duterte’s presidential bid ‘not material’ in impeachment proceedings, says House justice panel chair</strong></a></div><p>Duterte also made a remark on the role of her vice president when she was asked whether she will be a unifying leader or a vengeful one should she win the presidency. </p><p>“Pero ito lang ang sasabihin ko: Hindi pwede na walang managot. Yung nire-recruit ko na vice president siya ang magpapanagot sa mga gumawa ng mali sa bayan para ako, nakatutok ako sa trabaho ng presidente,” she said.</p><div><strong>DAD RODRIGO DIDN’T KNOW</strong></div><p>The vice president also revealed she did not disclose to former President Rodrigo Duterte that she would declare her presidency this early. </p><p>“In fact, kahapon lang siya sinabihan ng mga abogado niya na ‘yung anak mo nag-declare na tatakbong pangulo at nagbigay siya ng note, napakaikli na note at ipinadala sa akin nung abogado,” she said. </p><p>The younger Duterte declined for the meantime to reveal what was in the note, saying she will ask permission first from the former president and his lawyers. </p><p>Even her siblings did not know, according to the younger Duterte. Only her spouse, Atty. Manases Carpio, her children, and the staff who edited her Tagalog speech were aware of her early declaration. She also informed her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/sara-duterte-announcement-of-presidential-bid-may-affect-voting-on-impeachment-solon-1629"><strong>Sara Duterte announcement of presidential bid may affect voting on impeachment— solon</strong></a></div><p>“One day, nung Christmas break, naisip ko bigay ko sa mga tao ‘yung gusto nila para sila maging masaya,” she said, citing the clamor and ‘desperation’ of supporters for her to run for president.   </p><div><strong>PRESIDENCY IS GENDERLESS</strong></div><p>The vice president was also asked about her father’s remark in 2021 that the presidency is &quot;not for women,&quot; as he denied that his daughter would seek to succeed him in 2022. </p><p>While she acknowledges her father’s opinion, the younger Duterte believes gender has nothing to do with holding the country’s highest elective post.</p><p>“Sa tingin ko naman sa lahat ng bagay hindi lang sa pagiging pangulo ay walang gender consideration. ‘Yung iba mayroon silang paniniwala na mayroong mga trabaho na hindi para sa babae, pero para sa akin pero ang pagiging pangulo, walang kasarian… wala siyang gender,” the vice president said.</p><p>“’Yun siguro ‘yung paniwala ni [dating] Pangulong Duterte, sa tingin ko hindi lang siguro siya ‘yung may ganyan na paniniwala. Pero para sa akin ‘yung gender, wala yan. Nasa ano ‘yan ‘yung kalooban ng tao at saka kakayahan ng tao,” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/transcript-sara-duterte-announces-presidential-run-1143"><strong>TRANSCRIPT: Sara Duterte announces presidential run</strong></a></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday said she has already ‘recruited’ last year her running mate for the 2028 elections.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday said she has already ‘recruited’ last year her running mate for the 2028 elections.

Sara Duterte says she has ‘recruited’ her running mate for 2028 elections

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Sara Duterte says she has ‘recruited’ her running mate for 2028 elections

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 21, 2026 08:58 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 21, 2026 09:03 PM PHT

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Sara Duterte

Rodrigo Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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