ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio on Monday suggested that Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte could be positioned as an alternative presidential candidate by his family amid evolving political developments involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
Tinio made the remark on April 13 following Mayor Duterte’s appointment as president of Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
“Malinaw na may Plan B ang mga Duterte, ito si Baste,” Tinio said in a chance interview.
Sebastian Duterte gained political prominence during the April 12 launch of the opposition-backed “RAGE Coalition,” which brings together PDP-Laban, Partido Reporma, and Reform PH into a unified political bloc. The coalition’s formation comes amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President before the House Committee on Justice.
Tinio said the developments may reflect uncertainty within the Duterte camp over possible political scenarios.
“Pinapakita na—siguro kabado ang kampo ng Duterte na maaaring ma-impeach at magtuloy-tuloy at ma-convict sa Senado ang Bise Presidente. So mauudlot ang kanyang presidential bid dahil kasama ng impeachment or removal from office ay perpetual disqualification; hindi na pwedeng tumakbo,” he said.
“So nandyan ang posibilidad na yan kung magtuloy-tuloy ang impeachment hanggang sa trial at conviction,” Tinio added.
Vice President Duterte previously expressed plans to seek the presidency in the 2028 elections. However, ongoing impeachment proceedings initiated in the House of Representatives have raised questions about the viability of her political ambitions moving forward.