THE announcement of Vice President Sara Duterte that she will run for president in 2028 is not surprising, a political analyst said, adding that she is “effectively shielding herself from the political fallout” of an impeachment trial.
“The impeachment proceedings can now be framed as part of an electoral-political contest,” said Octa Research founder Ranjit Rye. “Rather than seeing the impeachment as a purely political accountability process, it’s seen as a process of persecution against her.” He also said that Duterte’s use of Bisaya is an effort to talk to her base, which would strengthen her narrative.
“Any aggressive move against her can now be interpreted by her supporters as an attempt to persecute her,” Rye said.
Rye, who is also the assistant professor of the University of the Philippines (UP) Department of Political Science, urged the opposition allied with the Liberal Party to speak out on the idea of accountability and good governance.
“The announcement is a very good opportunity for the opposition to consolidate and build a strong coalition around a viable [candidate], and it is important for someone to speak on the anti-Duterte coalition,” he said.
He said that Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo can speak on behalf of the opposition even if she does not intend to run as president in 2028.
Another UP Political Science faculty, Jean Encinas-Franco, said Duterte’s early announcement is a gamble.
“Normally, if you announce early, you will be bombarded with issues. Maybe she is thinking that there will be accusations left and right that won’t be new to her,” Franco told One PH television in an interview.
She also said Duterte’s announcement is not only a survival mechanism but also a move to ensure that whoever will be her allies must show up for her.
Franco also questioned her apology to the public for helping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to win in the 2022 elections, noting that it would affect her judgment as president.
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) said it welcomes Duterte’s announcement to run as president in 2028, despite her not being a member of the party.
PDP deputy spokesman Ferdinand Topacio said the principles that Duterte has stood for “dovetails” nearly with the five basic tenets of the party: faith in God, promotion of human dignity, enlightened nationalism, prosperity for all and democracy where all the people may participate.
“In the final act, true and effective governance boils down to one single word: trust. A leader such as the incumbent president who no longer has the trust of the people cannot govern consensually, but can only stay in power through coercion, corruption and cover-up,” Topacio said.
He added that the party is supportive of Duterte and would place all resources at her disposal.
