Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said she is staying put in politics to fulfill her responsibility to the 32.2 million Filipinos voters who put her in office in response to her father’s advice to leave politics “as fast as she can.”
“Pagkatapos niya ako na sabihan na tumakbo ako ng tumakbo, tumakbong mayor, vice mayor, sasabihan niya ako na… darating din tayo roon,” Duterte said during a press briefing in Bacolod City on Mnday, Nov. 11, referring to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
[Translation: After he told me to keep running, as mayor, as vice mayor, now he’s saying… we’ll get there]
Duterte acknowledged her preference to leave politics but noted that numerous factors should be considered.
“Ako man gusto ko rin, ang problema ko I need to answer to 32.2 million Filipinos who gave their trust and confidence to me to become the vice president of everyone,” she said.
[Translation:I also want to quit, but my concern is that I need to answer to the 32.2 million Filipinos who put their trust in me as the vice president]
She said there will come a time of reckoning. “We can only plan, but God’s plans shall always prevail,” she added.
The former president had expressed to Davao-based reporters his wish for his daughter to leave politics.
\”Maghanapbuhay ka, negosyo, basta mabuhay ka lang mapayapa. Umalis ka na dyan sa pulitika. Huwag ka na mag-ambisyon, tutal vice president ka na,\” he said.
[Translation: Find a livelihood, a business, just live peacefully. Leave politics. Don’t aspire for more, you’re already the vice president]
Duterte: Wait for December 2026
In the same briefing, Duterte clarified that she has no plans yet to run for president in the 2028 election, stating that she would wait until December 2026 to finalize her political plans.
“December 2026 will be the best time to decide kung tatakbo sa 2028,” she said.
