FEBRUARY 22, 2026 — Vice President Sara Duterte has once again stirred the political pot, announcing not only her early bid for the presidency in 2028 but also revealing that she already “recruited” her running mate last year. The catch? She’s keeping the name under wraps. 

“May ni-recruit ako, hanggang diyan lang sasabihin ko,” she told SMNI’s Vox Populi. 

(I recruited someone, that’s all I’ll say.)

This secrecy is classic Duterte politics — teasing the public, dangling hints, and leaving everyone guessing. But what makes this revelation more intriguing is her description of the role she envisions for her vice president. 

“Yung nire-recruit ko na vice president, siya ang magpapanagot sa mga gumawa ng mali sa bayan para ako, nakatutok ako sa trabaho ng presidente,” she revealed.

(The vice president I recruited will hold accountable those who wronged the nation, so I can focus on the work of the presidency.)

Accountability as a campaign promise is bold, but it also raises eyebrows. Who exactly is this mystery figure? 

Speculations are already flying — some reports point to Senator Bam Aquino as a possible contender, given his history as a campaign manager for Leni Robredo in 2022 and his reputation as a reformist voice. Others believe Duterte’s choice could be someone closer to her political base, ensuring loyalty rather than ideological diversity.

Her early declaration is unprecedented. Unlike her father Rodrigo Duterte, who kept his 2016 presidential run close to the chest until the last minute, Sara is laying her cards on the table years ahead of the official filing in October 2027. Analysts say this move could either solidify her frontrunner status — she’s already leading in pre-election surveys — or expose her to prolonged scrutiny, especially with ongoing controversies like the impeachment complaint filed against her and the looming ICC proceedings against her father.

And then there’s the family angle. Sara admitted she didn’t even tell her father about her decision until lawyers broke the news to him. Rodrigo Duterte, who once famously said the presidency is “not for women,” now faces the reality of his daughter gunning for the top post. 

Sara, however, brushed off the gender debate, saying, “Para sa akin ang pagiging pangulo, walang kasarian … wala siyang gender.” 

(For me, the presidency has no gender.)

So here we are, two years before the official campaign season, already talking about 2028. Sara Duterte has set the stage, but the real suspense lies in the identity of her chosen partner-in-power. Will it be a reformist ally, a loyalist, or a surprise figure who could shift the balance of Philippine politics?

More importantly, will her mystery running mate be the nation’s watchdog — or just another guard dog of power?

(Image: Screengrab from Inday Sara Duterte | Facebook)