VP Sara says no 2028 Senate slate yet

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said there is still no official Senate slate under her camp for the 2028 elections, adding that the current political climate has made it difficult to publicly align with potential allies.

“Wala pa akong senators… may mga nagpahayag na interesado sila na magsama kami kung sakali ako ay tumakbo at sila din ay tatakbo. Pero kung sasabihin mo na meron na talagang listahan at meron na talagang usapan, walang ganoon para sa senators' list sa elections sa 2028," she stated during an ambush interview in Davao City following the celebration of the Day of Valor. 

(I don’t have any senators yet… some have expressed interest in joining me if I decide to run and if they also run. But if you’re saying there is already a formal list and confirmed discussions, there is none for the 2028 Senate slate.)

She also declined to name possible candidates, citing threats and harassment faced by those associated with her.

“Hindi ko sila papangalanan kasi… matindi at mainit ang politika ngayon… lahat ng lumalapit, dumidikit, kaibigan ko , ay hina-harass, tine-threaten, fina-file-an ng kaso, ina-atake.”

(I will not name them because politics is very intense right now… those who come to me, stick with me, my friends, are being harassed, threatened, charged with cases, and attacked.)

Duterte said decisions on a potential running mate will depend on readiness and timing, noting she has yet to identify a vice presidential candidate.

No VP running mate yet

Asked when she would declare a vice presidential partner, Duterte said no decision has been made so far.

“Depende kung ready… sa ngayon wala pa naman akong Vice President na candidate na kasama. Kung meron na at ready na siya, saka siya magpapahayag na tatakbo bilang Vice President.”
(It depends if they are ready… for now, I don’t have a vice presidential candidate. If there is one and they are ready, that’s when they will declare their candidacy.)

Her remarks were made during an ambush interview on the sidelines of the 84th commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan.

‘Ask the President’ on Middle East crisis

Duterte also addressed the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on Filipinos, saying the national government should take the lead in responding to the situation, pointing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

“Dapat tanungin ang ating Pangulo kung ano ang ginagawa niya para tulungan ang mga kababayan nating nahihirapan dahil sa epekto ng krisis sa Middle East.”

(We should ask the President what he is doing to help our countrymen who are struggling because of the impact of the Middle East crisis.)

Free rides to continue amid rising costs

Amid rising fuel prices, the Vice President said her office will continue its “libreng sakay” program to help Filipinos cope with daily expenses.

She said the initiative, launched in 2022, was designed to ease transportation costs and will be sustained as prices of fuel and basic goods continue to increase.

Duterte added that oil prices are unlikely to go down unless supply issues linked to the Middle East are addressed or alternative sources are secured.

Doubts on survey reliability

Duterte also expressed skepticism over political surveys, saying she does not commission them due to cost and concerns over their accuracy.

However, she said she remains grateful for the continued support and trust of Filipinos in her office’s work.

The Vice President’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions and global developments affecting fuel prices and the cost of living.—LDF, GMA News