Salceda finds Sara’s move ‘a misguided gamble’
Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement of her presidential bid in 2028 was not only too early in the game, as many of her critics saw it. For one political observer, “it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.”
“I once worked with her (Duterte), but this time around, I think it isn’t OA (overacting) to say that it is an ill-advised move. I think it is a misguided gamble,” economist and former Rep. Joey Salceda said at a media forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
The former Albay representative acknowledged that “In 2022, I was promoting Sara for the presidency. You can go back to your files.” He eventually supported her vice presidential candidacy when she ran in tandem with then presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that year.
But now, “I think I would have wanted that there should be a clamor for her. Let the people proclaim you,” he said.
Salceda also noted that Mr. Marcos “is still President until June 2028.”
Hours after she declared her presidential bid on Wednesday, a fourth impeachment complaint was filed against the Vice President. The earlier complaints accused her of misuse of confidential funds, as well as graft and corruption during her tenure as education secretary.
‘Blessing in disguise’
The complaints also included her Nov. 23, 2024, online rant where she issued death threats against Mr. Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez; and her alleged role in extrajudicial killings in Davao City.
Duterte’s announcement also came about a week ahead of the Feb. 23 confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague where her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is detained by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity of murder.
Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who endorsed the fourth complaint together with Paolo Ortega V, said Sara Duterte’s “early announcement might be a blessing in disguise for whoever runs against her.”
He said the Vice President would be “expose[d] to many questions” about the impeachment charges in the long time ahead of the next elections.
Terse response
“2028 is still a long way off, more than two years from now,” Abante said at the same forum.
Mr. Marcos on Saturday continued to be terse about the announcement of his estranged Vice President.
“Nothing, really. That’s her choice,” the President said about Duterte’s declaration when he inspected a flood control project in Naga City together with Mayor Leni Robredo, the Vice President’s predecessor and Mr. Marcos’ two-time election rival.
Mr. Marcos had merely wished Duterte “good luck” in response to her announcement last Wednesday.
Yet his visit to Robredo’s hometown was seen as a political move despite his assertion to the contrary (see related story this page), amid the prevailing discussions—also this early—over who could challenge Duterte in 2028. —WITH A REPORT FROM LUISA CABATO
