Sara Duterte says no Senate slate endorsement for 2025 elections so far

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures during a press briefing at the Cybergate building in Mandaluyong City on September 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said that she has neither formed nor plans to endorse a Senate slate in the 2025 midterm elections, as she is focused on “defending the Office of the Vice President.” 

“Sa ngayon wala akong Senate slate, wala akong senators kasi nga sabi ko nakatutok kami defending the OVP,” Duterte said in a press conference in Mandaluyong. 

“I feel that is the primary duty right now so nakatutok effort ko doon,” she said. 

But Duterte — who heads the regional party “Hugpong ng Pagbabago” — noted that she is not closing her doors on possibly endorsing several senatorial candidates next year. 

VP Duterte skips second House inquiry into DepEd's fund use, calls probe 'unnecessary'

“We will see. Malayo pa naman ang kampanya. Baka pagdating ng February, medyo maluwag na,” she said, noting that her regional party has yet to begin discussions on possible alliances. 

The Vice President earlier said that three Dutertes — her father Rodrigo, as well as her brothers Paolo and Sebastian — will vie for a Senate seat in 2025. 

When asked if that plan will push through, the Vice President said: “Naku, hindi ko alam. Naririnig ko lang siya sa grupo nila, sa mga tao na nakapalibot sa kanila, tatakbo daw o naghahanda na tumakbo.”

Earlier this year, the Duterte family gathered in Davao City for a family meeting, but the Vice President said that they only discussed family matters during that gathering in their hometown. 

“Matagal discussion about family… Nag rundown sila isa-isa sa apo… Inisa-isa nila ano nangyayari, ano ginagawa,” she said. 

'Hindi ako aalis dito': Sara Duterte rejects resignation calls from lawmakers

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is not the type of father to give serious advice, the Vice President said. “Ang sasabihin lang nun sapakin mo, sunugin mo,” she said in jest. 

“PRD is a jarhead, alam naman natin lahat yan. Ang mae-expect mo doon galit, sigaw, volcano eruption, explosion,” she said. 

Even the possible entry of International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators and a looming arrest for the Duterte patriarch was not discussed in that family meeting, she said. 

“Si PRD pag sinabihan mo ICC, sabihin niya sa iyo, 'Barilin ko sila lahat.' So no discussion,” she said. 

In mid-2024, the Vice President bolted from the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her partner during the 2022 national elections. 

She resigned from his Cabinet as Education secretary and called out House leaders for meddling with the budget of the Department of Education. 

Duterte has since been vocal about her disdain over House lawmakers, calling their congressional inquiries as attacks against her and her office. 

“Wala naman kasi talaga akong ginawang mali pero kung sa tingin nila mayroon man dalhin nila sa kung saan, sa korte, sa impeachment, sasagutin namin,” she said. 

“Kaya ako very casual kasi masasagot ko lahat ng sasabihin nila. Minsan lang hindi ako nagsasalita kaya mukhang walang sagot… kasi nakakapagod yung galit nila,” she said.

RELATED VIDEO: