Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said on Thursday she is not keen on endorsing senatorial candidates for the 2025 elections.
In a chance interview, Duterte said she needs time to think about her direction for the midterm polls.
The vice president said she and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed this before she resigned as education chief.
“Before ako nagresign, mayroon akong isang meeting kung saan inimbita ako ni President Marcos para sumali, tumulong para sa mga senatorial candidates. At sabi ko sa kanya hindi ako muna sasali sa midterm elections,” she said.
[Translation: Before I resigned, I had a meeting with President Marcos where he invited me to join and help senatorial candidates. And I told him, I won’t join the 2025 midterm elections for now]
Duterte said the message was the same for her father and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Sa isa namang pagkikita namin ni former President Duterte…inimbita niya rin ako mangampanya, sumuporta para sa mga candidates ng PDP. So sinabi ko rin sa kanya na hindi ako muna sasali sa midterm elections,” she said.
[Translation: In my chance meeting with former President Duterte, he also invited me to campaign and support candidates for the PDP. So I also told him that I won’t join the midterm elections for now]
The vice president earlier announced that her father and two brothers – Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte and Rep. Paolo Duterte – will seek a Senate seat in 2025.
The elder Duterte, however, denied such plans.
NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report.
