MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said the groundwork for her 2028 presidential bid is already underway, revealing that she has personally recruited a potential running mate whom she expects to focus on holding erring officials accountable while she leads the country.
Duterte-Carpio, who last week confirmed her intention to seek the presidency in 2028, disclosed that she convinced the prospective vice presidential candidate to join her ticket as early as last year, although she declined to identify the individual.
“May ni-recruit ako, hanggang diyan lang sasabihin ko,” Duterte-Carpio said in an interview with SMNI’s “Vox Populi” program aired Saturday night.
“Ni-recruit ko siya last year pa, kaso ‘wag na muna natin ‘yan pag-usapan. Protektahan natin ‘yung tao hanggang sa makapagdesisyon siya kung anong gagawin niya sa karera niya,” she added.
The Vice President also outlined the specific role she envisions for her would-be running mate, stressing the need for accountability in government.
“Pero ito lang ang sasabihin ko: Hindi pwede na walang managot. Yung nire-recruit ko na vice president siya ang magpapanagot sa mga gumawa ng mali sa bayan para ako, nakatutok ako sa trabaho ng presidente,” she said.
Her remarks signal an early attempt to frame the narrative of her potential administration around governance and accountability — more than two years before the official campaign season begins.
Duterte-Carpio likewise revealed that even her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was initially unaware of her decision to publicly declare her presidential bid at this stage.
“In fact, kahapon lang siya sinabihan ng mga abogado niya na ‘yung anak mo nag-declare na tatakbong pangulo at nagbigay siya ng note, napakaikli na note at ipinadala sa akin nung abogado,” she said.
She also addressed previous remarks by her father suggesting that the presidency may not be suited for women, emphasizing that leadership is not defined by gender.
“Sa tingin ko naman sa lahat ng bagay hindi lang sa pagiging pangulo ay walang gender consideration. ‘Yung iba mayroon silang paniniwala na mayroong mga trabaho na hindi para sa babae, pero para sa akin pero ang pagiging pangulo, walang kasarian… wala siyang gender,” the vice president said./PN
