“Good luck.“
This was Malacañang’s response after Vice President Sara Duterte announced her intention to run for president in the 2028 national elections.
According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greeted the announcement with a straightforward “good luck,” smiling as he relayed the message.
“Kung sarcastic ‘to o hindi, hindi ko masasabi,” Castro added.
During a press conference on Wednesday, February 18, Duterte declared, “Ako si Sara Duterte tatakbo bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas.”
She also criticized Marcos, claiming she had observed a lack of sincerity in fulfilling campaign promises. Duterte apologized for supporting Marcos Jr.’s presidential campaign.
Castro responded, emphasizing that the election victory was ultimately the choice of the Filipino people.
“Humingi siya ng kapatawaran na tinulungan niya sa pangangampanya. Tandaan po natin, ang taong bayan ang naghalal kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. Kung ano man po ang natulong niya, pareho naman po silang nagtulungan dahil ito ay UNITEAM. Kaya huwag niya po solohin ang credit kung nanalo man ang Pangulo. At nakikita ngayon ng mga kababayan natin kung sino ba ang nagtatrabaho. Isang working president, compared sa Bise Presidente,” she said.
Duterte also expressed frustration over alleged corruption in the 2025 budget, “hindi ko kinaya maging bahagi ng 2025 budget na tadtad ng katiwalian, pinili kong umalis sa Gabinete kahit alam ko na since 2023 ang magiging kapalit ang aking impeachment.”
Castro countered these claims: “Pinag-uusapan po ba ang corruption, ang katiwalian? Siguro po dapat mauna muna na hingiin niya ng tawad kung ano man ang mga isyu ng corruption at katiwalian at di umano paglustay ng confidential funds ng kanyang dalawang opisina at ng OVP at ng DepEd.“
"Kung meron pang napipintong impeachment, ito po ay dahil sa kanyang kagagawan mismo. Kung wala naman siyang ginawa na mga maanomalya at labang sa Konstitusyon, hindi naman posible siya masasampahan ng mga impeachment complaints,” she added.
