Marcos to endorse 2028 presidential candidate but says choice is not yet made

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has decided to endorse a candidate for the 2028 Philippine presidential election, though he has not yet announced the individual. The political rift between Marcos and his vice president, Sara Duterte, continues to impact the race. Marcos emphasized that it would be premature to make a decision at this time, stating that he has not yet spoken with anyone about his intentions to run for president.

He affirmed that the party will select the most suitable candidate to serve the public's best interests. The Philippine Constitution restricts presidents to a single six-year term, making Marcos ineligible to run again in 2028. This situation creates a crucial role for his endorsement in determining the succession. Meanwhile, Vice-President Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is making a strong showing in opinion polls ahead of the 2028 election.

Duterte announced in February her candidacy for the 2028 presidency, leading to a potential clash between two prominent political families. Their relationship was already strained when they were elected together in 2022. Their rift escalated into a full-blown political feud, prompting congressional investigations into Duterte's finances and an impeachment trial initiated in the Senate on July 6.

Duterte has faced allegations of financial misconduct, unexplained wealth, and threats against Marcos' life, claims she has firmly denied. Should she be found guilty during the impeachment process, she would be barred from holding any public office for life. Marcos has distanced himself from the impeachment proceedings, asserting that they are the responsibility of the legislative branch.

As Duterte continues to position herself as a frontrunner for the 2028 election, Marcos' eventual choice of a successor could significantly influence the contest. However, he has not yet revealed his potential candidate.