House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor said that Vice President Sara Duterte’s early bid for presidency in the 2028 elections is a planned and strategic decision.

In a Wednesday report by RH 12 Milky Rigonan, Defensor said this was an advantageous move, especially with her political opponents—the current administration—not having revealed a presidential candidate yet.

Defensor said the announcement was calculated, noting that Vice President Sara currently enjoys high ratings and that Filipinos, he added, tend to consider whoever is leading and prominent in surveys.

The lawmaker believes that if a “third force” emerges, voters may realize they have other options. This third force would also challenge the standing of an influential candidate who, until now, has yet to explain her questionable use of millions of pesos in confidential funds.

This would not stand in the way of pursuing impeachment proceedings against the vice president, Defensor said.

The impeachment complaints filed against Duterte may be included in the House order of business by next week, and will then be referred to the Committee on Justice.