VICE President Sara Duterte said she is still weighing her options on whether to join the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), following her brother, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s recent appointment as the party’s acting president.
“I’m single and ready to mingle in terms of politics, kaysa ‘yung nakatali ka sa loob ng isang grupo (I'm single and ready to mingle in politics rather than be tied to just one group)," Duterte said in a media interview during the Office of the Vice President’s Pasidungog event on June 16 at SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang.
She added that she has not yet decided on joining PDP–Laban.
Duterte revealed she only recently learned about Sebastian’s new role and said she is not involved in or updated on internal party matters. While PDP–Laban members have invited her to join for some time—especially after she stepped down as Education Secretary—she said she remains undecided.
She noted that she had already been considering the invitation even before her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was summoned to The Hague for an international investigation.
Sara said she prefers to stay independent and distance herself from political groups. She was quick to add that she had nothing against PDP members.
Baste, the youngest son of former President Duterte, took over as PDP–Laban acting president after Senator Robin Padilla resigned. The outgoing Davao City mayor previously served as Davao City mayor and will assume the post of vice mayor. He joined PDP–Laban in September 2024 and was sworn in as the party’s executive vice president.
PDP–Laban remains chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte. RGP