Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV suggested that a one-on-one presidential contest—similar to the 1986 snap elections—would be the most effective strategy to prevent Sara Duterte from winning in 2028.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel anchor Rico Hizon, Trillanes said that Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Senator Bam Aquino, or former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo could potentially defeat Duterte in a direct matchup.
“Even if it’s Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino or Leni Robredo, any of them in a head to head situation,” Trillanes said.
He clarified that such a scenario would only be feasible if an alliance is forged between the Liberal Party and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was once allied with but is now a political rival of the Duterte family.
“Well, if it’s a head to head situation, that’s the only way,” he added.
Trillanes warned that without such an alliance, Duterte could gain an advantage in a potential three-way race.
“If they don’t forge an alliance with the administration, therefore the alliance will field their own candidate, then it becomes a three-way race,” he said.
Recent pre-election surveys show Duterte leading potential candidates for 2028, followed by Robredo and Senator Raffy Tulfo, who has stated he does not intend to run and prefers a Senate re-election bid.