Vice President Sara Duterte disclosed Saturday that she had already recruited her running mate for the 2028 presidential elections last year, though she did not reveal the person’s identity.
“May ni-recruit ako, hanggang diyan lang sasabihin ko,” Duterte said in an interview with SMNI.
“Ni-recruit ko siya last year pa, kaso wag na muna natin ‘yan pag-usapan. Protektahan natin ‘yung tao hanggang sa makapagdesisyon siya kung anong gagawin niya sa karera niya.”
She stressed the role of her chosen vice president in ensuring accountability.
“Hindi pwedeng walang managot. ‘Yung nire-recruit ko na vice president ang magpapanagot sa mga gumawa ng mali sa bayan, habang nakatutok ako sa trabaho ng presidente,” Duterte explained.
Duterte formally announced her presidential bid last Wednesday, saying neither her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, nor her siblings were informed beforehand.
“In fact, kahapon lang siya sinabihan ng mga abogado niya na ‘yung anak mo nag-declare na tatakbong pangulo,” she said, noting that only her mother, husband, children, and staff were aware prior to her speech.
Her revelation adds early intrigue to the 2028 race, fueling speculation over who may become her tandem.