Duterte not resigning amid ouster, stays open to 2028 presidential run

Metro Manila, Philippines - Vice President Sara Duterte said on Friday she is not quitting her post amid her impeachment and maintained that she is seriously considering running for the 2028 presidential elections.

“Masyado pang malayo ang mga ganyang mga bagay,” said Duterte during her first press briefing after being ousted by the House of Representatives.

[Translation: Those things are too early to consider now]

Duterte said she and her legal team are still studying the articles of impeachment, which stemmed from her supposed fund misuse, threats to the presidential family, among others. During Friday’s briefing, Duterte again denied making assassination threats on the president.

In a Facebook post, Tony La Viña, lawyer and constitutional law lecturer, said impeachment proceedings may still push through even if Duterte steps down from office.

“However, if the official resigns before conviction, the process may become moot and academic, meaning there would be no need to remove someone who is no longer in office. But the officer can still be convicted by the impeachment court and a penalty of disqualification to hold public office may still be imposed against the official,” he said.

When asked if impeachment bolstered her interest to run for higher office in 2028, Duterte kept her previous stance.

“We are seriously considering that. It’s difficult to decide without numbers,” she said, noting that she needs to wait for survey results in 2026.

Meanwhile, the vice president refused to comment on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remark, denying his involvement in the vice president’s ouster.

“I do not want to answer the question,” she said.