Marcos confirms 2028 endorsement plan

Philippine President Bongbong Marcos confirmed on August 14 that he will endorse a candidate for the 2028 presidential election, but said he has not yet decided whom to back. The confirmation came during an event with foreign journalists, marking the first time he has publicly stated his intention to endorse a successor. Marcos is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term. His political rival, Vice President Sara Duterte, has announced her candidacy for 2028 and leads in early opinion polls. The two were allies in the 2022 election but their alliance collapsed, leading to congressional scrutiny of Duterte's finances and an impeachment trial in the Senate that began on July 6. Duterte faces charges of financial irregularities, amassing unusual wealth, and threatening Marcos's life, which she denies. If convicted, she would be banned from politics for life. Marcos has distanced himself from the impeachment, calling it a legislative matter. The government previously handed over Sara Duterte's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to the International — International Criminal Court to face murder charges related to his 'war on drugs'.