Senator Robin Padilla on Wednesday openly endorsed Senator Imee Marcos as the ideal running mate for Vice President Sara Duterte following Duterte’s announcement of her 2028 presidential bid.
Padilla highlighted the importance of showcasing strong female leadership if Marcos and Duterte were to run together.
“Yun ang VP ko, si Imee…. Panahon na para maramdaman ng mga Pinoy ang girl power,” he told reporters.
Duterte previously forged a UniTeam alliance with Marcos’ younger brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which delivered a landslide victory in the 2022 elections, though the partnership later experienced a significant political rift.
When asked about Padilla’s comments, Marcos affirmed their longstanding alliance, calling herself Duterte’s “forever running mate.”
“Sabagay, talaga naman forever running mate ko naman talaga yan—takbo, gapang, luhod, patayo, paupo—hindi ko naman siya kailanman iniwanan,” she said.
On whether she would serve as Duterte’s vice presidential candidate, Marcos said she would follow wherever the alliance goes.
“Basta sunod-sunuran ako doon,” she said.
Marcos also reflected on the potential impact of Duterte’s announcement, saying it could give the public hope amid widespread hardship and corruption.
“Eh maganda yan kasi nabibigyan ng pag-asa lahat ng tao. Dahil napakahirap ng panahon, ang gulo-gulo ng gobyerno, napakakorap, wala pa rin china-charge,” she said.
“Eh talagang ang tao galit na galit na at naghihirap. Kaya maganda na kahit papaano meron tayong pag-asa, meron tayong pinanghahawakan,” she added.