Former president Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte are all gearing up to run in the 2025 Senate race, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed on Tuesday, June 25.
In an interview in Cagayan de Oro City, where the Vice President hosted the annual Office of the Vice President (OVP) Pride Reception, she disclosed that her father and brothers plan to pursue national positions next year.
“Lahat silang raring na tumakbo eh—PRRD, senator. Iyong kuya ko, si Paolo Duterte, iyong congressman ngayon, senator. Si Sebastian Duterte (All of them are raring to run—PRRD, senator. My older brother, Paolo Duterte, the congressman now, also senator. Sebastian Duterte, too),” she told reporters.
“Yes, tatlo ang Duterte next year for senator (Yes, there will be three Dutertes next year as senators),” she emphasized when asked if her statement was a confirmation.
Asked whether she would resign from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), she replied: “Wala. Walang ganun na usapan (We did not talk about it).”
Last week, Duterte resigned as the Department of Education (DepEd) secretary after months of a turbulent relationship with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and the Marcos camp. Amid speculations about the relationship between President Marcos and VP Duterte, she asserted that their friendship remains intact.
Though she did not provide a reason for her resignation from the Marcos Cabinet, political pundits and commentators have suggested the possibility of her returning to Davao City as its local chief executive, while her brothers and father aim for higher positions.
The former president and son Paolo have regularly placed within the Magic 12 of various senatorial preferential surveys, indicating strong support. Sebastian, meanwhile, has been the most vocal among the three siblings in the Marcos administration.
During the 2022 national elections, the former president initially planned to pursue a Senate seat but later withdrew his Certificate of Candidacy (COC).
The Duterte family’s planned candidacies mark a significant development in Philippine politics, potentially reinforcing their political influence. With the upcoming 2025 Senate race, the nation will closely watch how the Duterte family’s political strategy unfolds and how it impacts the broader political landscape.