Manila: Malaca±ang announced that Vice President Sara Duterte is eligible to run for the presidency in the 2028 elections, provided she is acquitted of any impeachable offenses. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that should Duterte prove her innocence, no legal barriers would prevent her from pursuing the nation's highest office.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized that the impeachment proceedings must adhere strictly to constitutional guidelines. She acknowledged that the Senate is operating within its legal framework in managing the impeachment case. Castro further noted that if Duterte's acquittal results more from political backing than substantial evidence, the ultimate judgment would be rendered by the Filipino public.

Castro expressed, "Kung malalampasan niya ang impeachment trial hindi dahil sa ebidensya kundi dahil sa kanyang mga kaalyado, bahala na ang taumbayan ang magpasya rito." She reiterated that the Senate's current actions are in strict compliance with constitutional mandates, urging all involved parties to maintain respect for the legal process and refrain from politicizing it.

In a related development, Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, in an interview conducted in The Hague, Netherlands, suggested that the impeachment trial against his sister aims to disqualify her from the 2028 presidential race.