Senator Robin Padilla said he is willing to run for vice president in 2028 alongside Vice President Sara Duterte—but only if her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, personally instructs him to do so.
In an online interview, Padilla stressed that he has no personal ambition to seek higher office and would only enter the race upon the detained former leader’s directive.
“Pag utos ni Digong. Walang pwedeng mag-utos sa akin kahit sino, si Digong lang,” Padilla told reporters.
He added that his aversion to politics is well known within his family, but Duterte’s word would be decisive.
“Kasi ayaw ko talaga ng politika… Basta sinabi ni Digong, susunod ako,” he said.
Padilla expressed gratitude to supporters floating his name for the vice presidency after Sara Duterte declared her presidential bid.
However, he emphasized that there is a “hierarchy” among Duterte allies that must be respected, citing Senator Imee Marcos, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Bong Go, and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as senior figures ahead of him.
Padilla linked his stance to Duterte’s call for national unity, recalling the former president’s decision to allow the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani as part of reconciliation efforts.
“Dahil makikita naman natin nung nanalo si Digong, ang unang-unang sinasabi ni Digong gusto niyang mag-unite ang mga Pilipino… Yun ang mga ideal ni Digong. So ako, sumusunod lang doon,” he said.
He also downplayed the role of the vice president, describing it as largely centered on advocacy work.
“Para sa akin, vice president, hindi naman masyadong… ano yan? Puro advocacy lang yan eh. Parang ikaw ang spare tire, di ba? Oh, kayang-kaya yan,” Padilla remarked.
For the senator, supporting a Duterte-led ticket goes beyond personalities and is anchored on shared beliefs.
“Ang paniniwala naman ng Duterte, iisa ako dun… Ang Duterte kasi ideology yan eh. Pagbabago, yun talaga,” he said.