VP Sara Duterte’s early presidential bid a ‘distraction’ from allegations — solons

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February 18, 2026 | 4:08pm

MANILA, Philippines — Why would Vice President Sara Duterte announce her presidential bid so early — just a week before her father’s confirmation of charges hearing and as she faces impeachment proceedings in Congress?

For the Makabayan bloc, Duterte's announcement fails to address the corruption allegations she is facing, and is only a "desperate attempt to divert attention away" from her alleged misuse of confidential funds and the "fictitious" names found in acknowledgement receipts.

"This is a distraction. Supposedly, ang taumbayan, ang mga kongresista, ang mga ahensya ay naka-gear na i-pursue ang pananagutan hangga't sa dulo nito," Rep. Renee Co (Kabataan Party-list) said on Wednesday, February 18. 

(Supposedly, the public, lawmakers, and government agencies are geared to pursue accountability to the very end.)

According to Co, the vice president's 2028 presidential bid does nothing to tackle the nation's issues. The pressing question, she said, is the whereabouts of P612.5 million in confidential funds spent by Duterte-led agencies in 2022 and 2023, raising serious concerns about accountability and public money.

Civil society groups and members of the marginalized sectors have filed three impeachment complaints against Duterte in early February, all of which have been transmitted to the Office of the Speaker.

Since the first complaint was filed on February 2 and the Supreme Court redefined the meaning of session days in the context of impeachment, the House of Representatives must include the complaints in the Order of Business by February 23 to avoid them being barred by the one-year prohibition rule.

With Duterte announcing her presidential bid amid ongoing impeachment cases, Rep. Sarah Elago (Gabriela Women’s Party-list) said it is even more crucial for House lawmakers to ensure that all allegations against the vice president are thoroughly investigated and considered for trial, in the interest of the public rather than personal or political agendas.

"Kaya ho hamon din yan talaga dito sa mga miyembro ng Kongreso na ipakita nila yung kanilang pagiging tapat doon sa sinumpang tungkuling na magsilbi sa interes ng taumbayan at hindi mga pansariling interes," she said. 

(That is why it is truly a challenge for the members of Congress to show their loyalty to the oath they took to serve the interests of the people, rather than their own personal interests.)

Should the impeachment complaints advance to a Senate trial and result in a two-thirds conviction, the vice president would be removed from office and prohibited from holding any public office.

Meanwhile, Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) said Duterte's presidential bid comes as no surprise, especially since she has been hinting at a run for years without making a definite decision.

He added that while the announcement is premature, it is within her rights, as the filing of certificates of candidacy is still over a year and seven months away. Her declaration ranks among the earliest ever made by a Philippine vice president seeking the presidency.

The Philippines, however, has already lived through a Duterte presidency, Rep. Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers Party-list) warned. He questioned the prospect of the vice president leading the country, given the record of soaring prices and a violent drug war under former president Rodrigo Duterte, which left thousands dead without due process.

"Kaya dapat talaga ma-impeach itong si Vice President Sara Duterte para hindi na makatakbo at hindi na mauto muli ang sambayanan Pilipino," he said, adding that Duterte's bid is only her strategy to make it appear that she is the victim. 

(That is why Vice President Sara Duterte should truly be impeached, so she can no longer run for office and the Filipino people will not be deceived again.)