In the Philippines, the political landscape is shifting in ways both dramatic and deeply personal, as the country’s most prominent political families and parties jockey for position ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. At the center of this unfolding drama is Vice President Sara Duterte, whose recent statements and actions have reignited speculation about her political future and the enduring influence of her family.
On September 19, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed what many in political circles have long suspected: the former president’s party, PDP-Laban, is actively and persistently courting her to join their ranks in anticipation of the 2028 elections, which are still nearly three years away. According to Philnews, Duterte said, “The PDP is really persistent and intent. They talk to me almost every week and invite me to join their party. And I thought maybe it’s right that I didn’t join any party after I left LAKAS, that way I don’t have to pretend in front of politicians.”
This candid statement offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes machinations of Philippine politics, where alliances are often fluid and personal relationships can be as important as party platforms. Duterte’s decision to remain with Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional party in Davao, rather than join a national party, signals both her political independence and her wariness of the national stage’s performative aspects.
The backdrop to these political maneuvers is the dramatic legal saga involving her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Currently detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, the elder Duterte faces grave accusations of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs. As reported by Philnews and Reuters, he was arrested in March 2025 and is now awaiting the court’s decision on whether he is fit to stand trial—a process complicated by his lawyers’ claims of cognitive deficiencies.
The legal proceedings have been anything but straightforward. On September 16, 2025, Duterte’s legal team filed a document with the ICC requesting his immediate release or transfer to another country, arguing that continued detention during the assessment of his fitness to stand trial is unreasonable. “Mr. Duterte should not remain in detention while proceedings on fitness—now expected to take no less than [redacted] at a minimum—are underway,” his lawyers stated in their latest communication to the court, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. They further argued, “Administrative delay, occasioned by [redacted], cannot justify the abrogation of liberty. Provisional release should be ordered as soon as continuing detention ceases to be reasonable.”
Adding to the intrigue, Duterte’s defense team disclosed that they have submitted at least 30 pieces of evidence to the Office of the Prosecutor and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims. The bulk of this evidence was turned over on September 5, 2025, with one additional item submitted on September 11, 2025. However, the nature and specifics of the evidence remain confidential, leaving observers to speculate about its potential impact on the case.
The former president’s detention has not only galvanized his family but also reshaped the political alliances and rivalries within the Philippines. Sara Duterte herself acknowledged that her father believes his predicament could ultimately lead to her own rise to the presidency. According to Philnews, the former president has expressed his willingness to be the first to support his daughter’s campaign if she decides to run in 2028, despite his current legal battles.
Family solidarity has been on full display. During the 2025 midterm elections, Sara Duterte and her siblings campaigned vigorously for PDP-Laban’s senatorial candidates at the request of their father. Their efforts bore fruit, with several PDP-Laban candidates securing seats in the Senate, further strengthening the party’s influence and underscoring the enduring reach of the Duterte political machine.
Yet, the vice president’s relationship with President Bongbong Marcos—her former running mate in the 2022 elections—has soured. After running together and winning in 2022, their alliance began to unravel just two years into their term. Sara Duterte resigned as Secretary of the Department of Education and left Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, signaling a clear break with the administration.
The fallout from this split has reverberated through the halls of power. In the wake of recent political shakeups—particularly after several senators and congressmen were linked to a flood control scandal—Sara Duterte went so far as to claim that the Philippine government is now allegedly unstable. This assertion, made on September 19, 2025, according to Philnews, has fueled further speculation about the future direction of both the administration and the opposition.
The Duterte family’s influence is not limited to the executive branch. On the same day as Sara Duterte’s revelations, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla found himself the subject of multiple complaints filed with the Ombudsman. Acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte—Sara’s brother—filed complaints related to their father’s ICC arrest, while lawyer Ferdinand Topacio lodged a separate complaint concerning the detention of Philippine offshore gaming operators. As Rappler notes, these complaints could jeopardize Remulla’s application to become Ombudsman, since applicants with pending cases may be disqualified under the rules.
All of these developments paint a picture of a political arena in flux, where legal battles, personal loyalties, and shifting alliances are shaping the road to 2028. The question on everyone’s mind: Will Sara Duterte heed the persistent calls of PDP-Laban and step onto the national stage as her father’s political heir, or will she chart her own course, independent of the party machinery that has defined so much of her family’s legacy?
What is clear is that, despite the uncertainty, the Duterte family remains a force to be reckoned with in Philippine politics. Whether campaigning for Senate allies, navigating legal landmines, or issuing candid critiques of the current government’s stability, they continue to command attention and spark debate at every turn. As the nation looks ahead to the 2028 elections, all eyes will be on Sara Duterte—and the choices she makes in the months and years to come.
With high-stakes legal proceedings unfolding in The Hague and political maneuvering intensifying at home, the Philippines faces a period of profound transition. The coming years promise to test the resilience of its institutions, the resolve of its leaders, and the patience of a public eager for clarity in uncertain times.
