Padilla Will Run for VP Only on Duterte’s Command

Senator Robin Padilla has declared he is prepared to run for vice president in the 2028 Philippine elections—but only under one condition: a direct order from former President Rodrigo Duterte. The statement, made during a press briefing on February 20, 2026, repositions Padilla at the center of a rapidly shifting political landscape after weeks of uncertainty about his plans.

“If Digong gives the order, then that’s it. No one else can command me, only Digong,” Padilla said, using Duterte’s longtime nickname. “It’s well known that I’m not fond of politics… my mother, siblings, and wife all know this. But if it comes from Digong, I will comply.”

The remarks came two days after Vice President Sara Duterte formally announced her candidacy for president in 2028, intensifying early maneuvering ahead of what is expected to be a fractured and highly contested race.

A Reversal of Position

Padilla’s declaration marks a clear departure from his earlier stance. In January 2026, his wife, actress Mariel Rodriguez, publicly said he would not seek any elective post in 2028, voicing frustration at what she described as public ingratitude. “The public doesn’t deserve him,” she said at the time, criticizing those who, in her view, failed to appreciate her husband’s efforts.

The shift suggests renewed alignment within the Duterte political camp as the 2028 race begins to take shape. While Padilla insisted he would defer to more experienced figures, his openness signals readiness should Rodrigo Duterte call upon him.

“Naturally, we will give precedence to seasoned politicians. There’s a hierarchy in play. It can’t be me right off the bat since I’m still relatively new to this political landscape,” he said.

The Vice Presidential Role: “Spare Tire” or Strategic Asset?

Padilla downplayed the demands of the vice presidency, characterizing it as largely advocacy-driven.

“We are prepared for this. Especially if it’s offered to me—(for) the Vice President role. To me, being Vice President isn’t overly challenging… It’s primarily about advocacy. You’re like the backup, right? I can manage that,” he said.

The analogy to a “spare tire” may resonate with supporters who see the vice presidency as a stabilizing force, ready to step in during crisis. Critics, however, may question whether such a framing underestimates the constitutional weight of the position, particularly in a political environment marked by impeachment proceedings and shifting alliances.

Sara Duterte’s Presidential Bid and Mounting Pressure

Vice President Sara Duterte formally declared her intention to seek the presidency on February 18, 2026. In a speech that signaled a sharp break from her previous alliance, she criticized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and apologized for supporting him.

“I offer my life, strength, and future to the nation,” Duterte said. She added, “I seek forgiveness from the Filipino people for my previous support of President Marcos. The incumbent leader shows a lack of sincerity and has failed to address the rising costs of basic goods and a crumbling healthcare system.”

Her campaign launch comes as the House of Representatives deliberates impeachment complaints against her, including allegations of grave misconduct and the misuse of more than ₱600 million in confidential funds during her time as Vice President and Education Secretary. The outcome of those proceedings could redefine the political calculus heading into 2028.

Political Arithmetic and Alternative Contenders

Padilla acknowledged that others may be better positioned to join a Duterte ticket. He cited Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Senator Bato dela Rosa as possible alternatives for the vice presidency.

Days earlier, Padilla floated the idea of an “all-girl team” pairing Sara Duterte with Imee Marcos, the sister of the sitting president—a suggestion that underscored fractures within established alliances. Imee Marcos has publicly aligned herself with Vice President Duterte, further complicating the political landscape.

Padilla’s own electoral strength is not in question. In the 2022 senatorial elections, he received more than 26 million votes, the highest among newly elected senators. That mandate gives him considerable leverage, particularly in Mindanao, where the Duterte family maintains a formidable base.

The Rodrigo Duterte Factor

At the center of Padilla’s conditional offer stands Rodrigo Duterte, the former president now facing trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his anti-drug campaign.

Despite Duterte’s legal battles abroad, his political influence at home remains potent. Padilla’s statement underscores a relationship defined by loyalty and deference. By framing his decision as subject solely to Duterte’s command, Padilla effectively placed the former president in the role of kingmaker.

In Philippine politics, where personal alliances often eclipse party platforms, such signals carry weight. They also introduce uncertainty. Duterte’s legal and health circumstances in the coming years may determine not just Padilla’s future, but the structure of the opposition coalition itself.

What It Means for Voters

For ordinary Filipinos, early political maneuvering may feel distant from daily concerns about food prices, employment, healthcare, and education. Yet the alignment of major political figures can shape national priorities long before ballots are cast.

A Sara Duterte–Robin Padilla tandem could consolidate support in Duterte strongholds, particularly Mindanao, and offer a platform focused on law-and-order policies and a critical stance toward the current administration. Conversely, ongoing impeachment complaints and factional splits could delay or derail such a configuration.

With more than two years before the 2028 election cycle formally intensifies, the field remains fluid. But Padilla’s message was unequivocal: he is not actively seeking higher office—unless summoned.

“No one else can command me, only Digong.”

In a political arena often compared to a chessboard, Padilla has placed his piece in reserve—waiting for the next move from a former president whose shadow still looms large over Philippine politics.