Vice President Sara Duterte has emerged as the leading contender in early polling for the 2028 presidential election, though analysts caution the race remains fluid.
Political science professor Dennis Coronacion said Duterte’s high trust and approval ratings place her ahead for now.
“She is clearly ahead based on current surveys. But it’s still very early, and Philippine politics has shown time and again that unexpected candidates can rise quickly,” he noted.
Her standing has been reinforced by declining support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whose administration faces criticism over governance and corruption issues.
Coronacion explained, “In a presidential system, the president takes the heat. The vice president is often spared.”
He added that criticisms of Duterte’s frequent overseas travel have not significantly dented her popularity, as voters remain focused on the current administration’s performance.
Still, Coronacion warned that frontrunners do not always secure victory, citing VP Saraʼs father, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s late entry in 2016 as an example.
“With more than two years to go, alliances can shift, new names can enter, and public sentiment can change,” he said. “A dark horse could still emerge and alter the course of the 2028 election.”