President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded with a brief “Good luck” after Vice President Sara Duterte announced she plans to run for president in the 2028 elections.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos had seen and heard Duterte’s statement earlier in the day. The vice president also publicly apologized to the public, saying she helped Marcos win the presidency in 2022.
Castro said Duterte should not claim sole credit for the 2022 victory, stressing that it was the Filipino people who elected Marcos to office. She added that both Marcos and Duterte worked together during the campaign as part of the UniTeam alliance.
According to Castro, it is now clear to the public who is working and who is not, as political tensions continue to surface between the former running mates.
The Palace also emphasized that the judgment on candidates ultimately rests with the voters. Castro urged the public to remain discerning when choosing future leaders and to ensure that those elected serve the country’s interests.
She added that voters should avoid supporting what she described as a “Manchurian candidate,” saying leadership should be guided by national interest.
Duterte’s declaration to run for president in 2028 came earlier in the day and has drawn reactions from various political figures. Malacañang maintained that the decision on who should lead the country in the future will be made by the electorate.
