Sara Duterte win in 2028 an existential threat to Marcos - Lacierda

Metro Manila, Philippines - A possible presidential run by Vice President Sara Duterte in 2028 poses an “existential threat” to the Marcos camp, a former presidential spokesperson said, and this scenario could push unlikely alliances.

Speaking on The Newsmaker on NewsWatch Plus, Edwin Lacierda said the Marcos administration wants to make sure victory is obtained in the next presidential election especially if Duterte seeks the top post.

“If Vice President Duterte wins, expect a revenge tour. Medyo galit siya. That’s an existential threat to the Marcoses,” Lacierda warned.

[Translation: She’s still angry. That’s an existential threat to the Marcoses.]

He said that while the Marcos camp cannot afford to be complacent. He pointed to past election cycles where administration candidates lost, thus the need for a broader coalition.

“It makes sense for the Marcos forces to consider aligning with someone else. Definitely not the Duterte forces - possibly with the yellow and pink forces. But that depends on a lot of things,” he said.

Opposition alliance with Marcos camp ‘depends’

Lacierda said the so-called ‘pinklawan bloc,’ associated with Leni Robredo, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino, remains a potent political force, and its leaders must begin unifying early if they want to remain competitive in 2028.

He cited the 2022 elections, where Robredo and Pangilinan each received around 15 million votes, as well as the duo’s strong performance in the midterm Senate elections, where Aquino earned over 20 million votes and Pangilinan more than 15 million.

“Na-revive ang lakas ng yellow at pink forces,” Lacierda said.

[Translation: The strength of the yellow and pink forces was revived.]

“Pero kung hindi sila magkaisa, mahahati ang boto. That would be a disaster,” he added.

[Translation: But if they don’t unite, the vote will be split. That would be a disaster.]

Asked whether an alliance between the ‘pinklawans’ and the Marcos camp is possible, Lacierda said it’s not off the table - but depends on many factors.

“It depends on kung sino ang kandidato. Do we share the same values? What are the advocacies we can agree on? And then, of course, there’s power-sharing.

[Translation: It depends on who the candidate is.]

“These are big questions that need answers early on.”

He also expressed optimism that the opposition bloc would not field multiple candidates.

“I don’t believe there will be two ‘pinklawan’ candidates in 2028,” Lacierda said. “They’re mature enough to agree on one.”