In today’s volatile theater of Philippine politics, the announcement of a presidential bid is a declaration of war.
Vice President Sara Duterte, whose supporters proudly refer to as the “agila” or the eagle, officially staked her claim for the highest seat in the realm in 2028 on Wednesday, February 18.
In this explainer, we chronicle her flight from Davao to her fight for Malacañang.
Every great dynasty in the Philippines has its origin story. For House Duterte, Sara’s rise began as a strategic move to secure their bailiwick, Davao City.
Despite her father’s initial hesitancy toward a father-daughter tandem, Sara stepped into the role of vice mayor in 2007 while her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, ran again for mayor. The goal was clear: prevent “corrupt” politicians from seizing control of the city hall.
Her tenure as mayor from 2010 to 2013 and 2016 to 2022 solidified her reputation as a leader who would personally draw blood to protect her decree.
In a moment that became political legend, she punched court sheriff Abe Andres four times in the face for defying her order to delay a slum demolition in 2011.
During her rule in Davao, her house’s war chest grew significantly. Between 2016 and 2022, Davao City accumulated over ₱2.6 billion in confidential funds.
Just as the Iron Bank of Braavos tracks the wealth of the Great Houses in Westeros, Sara’s personal wealth has climbed sharply during her political ascent.
In Game of Thrones, a leader’s strength is tested by the sieges they endure. Sara’s path has been marked by relentless trials in the form of multiple impeachment attempts.
In December 2024, three formal impeachment complaints were filed in rapid succession. These stemmed from the controversial allocation of over ₱600 million in confidential funds, alongside allegations of ₱111 million deposited in her personal account.
On February 5, 2025, a fourth complaint was filed by 215 members of the House, including the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin. The charges were grave: corruption, extrajudicial killings, and even assassination threats against Marcos, Romualdez, and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.
But on July 25, 2025, the Supreme Court en banc declared these articles unconstitutional, citing the one-year rule that protects a sitting official from repeated filings within a single year.
As that protection expired, the gates opened again. As of this February, the Makabayan coalition, civil society groups, and religious organizations have filed three new impeachment raps against the Vice President.
And with former president Duterte currently facing a reckoning at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands for allegedly committing crimes against humanity, the scion is moving to consolidate her faction before it starts unraveling.
Despite the legal fire, recent figures from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) suggest the eagle’s wings remain unclipped in the eyes of many Filipinos.
As of late 2025, 54% of Filipinos remained “satisfied” with Sara’s performance, with her net satisfaction rising to a "good" +28. Marcos’ net satisfaction rating, meanwhile, has dipped into a “neutral” -3, as 43% of Filipinos express dissatisfaction with his rule.
She has publicly branded Marcos as “unfaithful” to his campaign promises. In her February 18 presser, Sara asked for the people's “forgiveness” for helping elect the president, framing herself as the only true protector of the Filipino family.
During her mayoral stint in 2021, Sara declared that the presidency is not for a woman like her. But with her change of strategy, the looming 2028 presidential race is more than just a simple bid for power. It is now a battle for survival.
By declaring early, she aims to freeze any defection from her allies and position herself as the inevitable “destiny” that will reclaim the nation from what she calls “widespread corruption.”
The eagle has taken flight. Whether she will soar to the presidency or fall to the arrows of her rivals remains the most high-stakes episode in this country’s game of thrones.
The hunt for 2028 has officially begun.
