Former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor has confirmed that Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is prepared to run for president in 2028 if Vice President Sara Duterte is convicted in her impeachment trial and barred from holding future elective office.
In a television interview, Defensor dismissed speculation and directly addressed the Duterte family’s contingency plan.
“There’s no need to guess. Mayor Baste is right here with us. If they remove VP Inday Sara, he will run. We will field him,” Defensor said.
He praised the Davao mayor’s qualities, saying:
“He has clear convictions, he speaks with substance, and he stands firm on his principles.”
Defensor stressed that his group will continue to contest the impeachment case against the Vice President, arguing that the charges lack solid evidence.
“If they believe that removing one Duterte from the race will solve their problems, they are mistaken,” he said. “Because there is Baste Duterte who can stand up for the family and for the people.”
The former lawmaker pointed to Sebastian Duterte’s recent public appearances, particularly his speech at the launch of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE) Coalition, noting similarities with his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The emcee said, ‘Close your eyes and just listen.’ But I was watching him—the hand gestures, the way he spoke—it was exactly like President Duterte,” Defensor recalled.
He added that Mayor Baste’s exposure to both his father and sister has shaped his leadership style and ability to engage with people.
Defensor’s remarks come as the Duterte camp braces for Senate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, while positioning Sebastian Duterte as a potential standard-bearer for 2028.