Vice President Sara Duterte linked the impeachment case filed against her and the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court to the 2028 national elections

In an interview with Russian media, Duterte “I am the frontrunner in the presidential race in 2028,” she believes that the government is making moves because President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. supposedly wants to stay in power.

“It’s all about the refusal or the intent of President Marcos. It is the intent of President Marcos not to step down. He wants to perpetuate himself or his family in power. It is clear from the moves of his administration against political opponents,” Duterte said in a transcript released by the Office of the Vice Presiden in the interview.

Likewise, Duterte also said that the government is threatened by her popularity.

“The survey shows that. And I think they want to eliminate the frontrunner… They think that if they take out former President Duterte, they will weaken me because it’s one brand, it’s one family,” said Duterte.

Vice President Duterte also stated that she has not yet decided whether to run for president in 2028.

“I have not planned anything for the presidential race of 2028. Some supporters have given me a deadline of the fourth quarter of the year 2026. So that is when I will decide if I will run for president on 2028,” she said.

Relations between Marcos and Duterte, running mates in Eleksyon 2022, have turned frosty following House probes into the drug war under the administration of her father and the handling of confidential funds by offices under her leadership.

Duterte on Sunday said that she bore “no ill feelings” towards Marcos  but said that she found problems with his performance.

“I have no ill feelings with him with regard to the political persecution that I am receiving from the administration because that is part of the life of a politician,” Duterte said in an interview during a support rally in Melbourne, Australia.

“I have problems with his performance as president and I have problems with the violations of our fundamental law, our constitution, particularly with the rendition of former President [Rodrigo] Duterte. That was really an affront to Philippine sovereignty,” she added.