Sara Duterte hints at 2028 run at Isko rally

Vice President Sara Duterte once again teased about her supposed plans for the 2028 presidential elections during the campaign rally of Manila mayoral candidate Isko Moreno on Thursday night.

While delivering her speech, Duterte removed the seal of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) from the lectern, saying that she will replace it with a seal of the Office of the President. This drew applause and cheers from the crowd.

"Tinanggal ko lang kasi iba kasi 'yung opisina, iba rin 'yung pangangampanya. Pero kung sa pangulo lang, pumili na lang kayo—si Isko Moreno o si Sara Duterte, wala kaming problema," she said.

(I removed the seal because my work is different from campaigning. But if you will choose a president, it’s either me or Isko Moreno, we don’t have a problem with that.)

To recall, Duterte said last January that she was "seriously considering" to run in the 2028 presidential elections.

However, when asked for a clarification on Thursday if she was now sure of running for presidency, Duterte replied: "Siguro kilala na ako ng mga tao ngayon, 'no. So, dapat siguro mag-distinguish tayo kung ano 'yung joke at ano 'yung hindi joke dahil matagal na rin tayo magkasama lahat, matagal na rin ako nakikita ng sambayanan sa national stage. So naiintindihan na nila kung ano 'yung joke at ano 'yung hindi joke."

(People already know me by now. They should be able to distinguish if what I'm saying is a joke or not because we've been together for a long time. People have been seeing me on the national stage since then, so I think they already understand.)

During the same rally, Duterte also quipped that Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., should change her last name.

The senator, who was also present in the event, laughed off the Vice President’s remarks.

Duterte's endorsement of Imee Marcos came just weeks after the senator withdrew from her brother's senatorial slate.

Senator Marcos has distanced herself from the administration, citing differences in values and principles—particularly in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara's father.

President Marcos and Duterte were running mates in the 2022 elections, but their relationship soured after the House of Representatives began questioning her use of confidential and intelligence funds.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has launched an investigation into the alleged questionable budget use of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte had led.

The House of Representatives has endorsed an impeachment complaint against the Vice President over these issues, among others. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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