MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte formally declared that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections.

During a press conference, Duterte made the announcement in a brief prepared statement.

“Ako si Sara Duterte tatakbo bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas (I am Sara Duterte, I will run for president of the Philippines),” Duterte said in a press conference.

Prior to delivering her speech, Duterte instructed staff to remove the Office of the Vice President logo from the podium. She did not entertain questions from reporters after her remarks.

In her address, Duterte said she was taking full responsibility for her political choices and admitted public dissatisfaction over continuing national concerns.

“Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa inyong lahat. Patawad kung tinulungan kong mahalal si BBM bilang Pangulo ng ating bansa (My fellow Filipinos, I ask for your forgiveness. I am sorry for helping elect BBM as President of our country),” she said.

She accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of failing to fulfill campaign pledges and carry out sworn obligations. Duterte also reiterated her criticism of the 2025 national budget, describing it as tainted by corruption, and explained that this prompted her to resign from her Cabinet position.

“Dahil hindi ko kinayang maging bahagi ng 2025 national budget na tadtad ng katiwalian, pinili kong umalis sa Gabinete (Because I could not bear to be part of a 2025 national budget riddled with corruption, I chose to leave the Cabinet),” she said.

Duterte added that she had already begun questioning what she described as governance issues within the first few months of the administration. She claimed she expected that stepping down from the Cabinet would eventually lead to impeachment efforts against her.

In her five-page speech, Duterte cited what she characterized as the administration’s shortcomings, including recurring floods, increasing prices of basic commodities, food insecurity, fragile healthcare services, deteriorating infrastructure, and the continued presence of crime, illegal drugs, and terrorism.

“Patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin habang nananatiling kapos ang kita ng bawat pamilya (The prices of basic goods continue to rise while family incomes remain insufficient),” she said.

She also raised concerns about what she described as the absence of a clear and independent foreign policy, warning that the Philippines could be caught between global powers.

Duterte further alleged that investigations and accusations against her were politically motivated, including what she called “scripted” congressional inquiries.

“Matagal na akong inaatake gamit ang buong makinarya ng kapangyarihan (I have long been attacked using the full machinery of power),” she said.

While she said she was unafraid for herself, Duterte expressed concern about the country’s direction and the welfare of future generations.

“May takot ako para sa ating mga anak. May takot ako para sa mga susunod na henerasyon (I am afraid for our children. I am afraid for the next generation),” she said.

She emphasized that her presidential bid was an offer of service rather than a plea for sympathy.

“I cannot kneel before each and every Filipino to beg for forgiveness. Instead, I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation,” she said.

Earlier, on January 29, Duterte said the government should “move on” after the Supreme Court affirmed its ruling declaring the articles of impeachment against her unconstitutional.

However, on February 2, two new impeachment complaints were filed against her and were accepted by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil. On February 6, Garafil said the complaints had been transmitted to the Office of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III after verification.

On February 9, a third impeachment complaint was filed by religious groups, priests, and lawyers, citing alleged betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and the supposed misuse of at least P612 million in confidential funds. The complaint was transmitted to the Speaker’s office on February 10.