‘I think she’s also testing the waters to see what the reaction will be,” said Marcos during a taped interview with GMA’s 24 Oras.

The chief executive admitted he has not yet discussed with Duterte her alleged political plans next year.

But in an ambush interview on Wednesday (January 24) Duterte said her speech about running next year had apparently taken out of context.

She said her speech was clear but may have been interpreted in a “piecemeal” manner.

“Baka ang confusion lang is piecemeal iyong understanding and appreciation ng mga tao,” she said.

Aside from being the vice president, Duterte serves the Marcos Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Education. Her term as vice president ends in 2028.

She is believed to have provided Marcos the needed votes to ensure the president’s victory during the 2022 national elections.

She reportedly announced campaigning for next year’s elections when she delivered a speech at Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City.

According to the country’s second highest national official, her brothers, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Rep. Paolo Duterte are no longer interested in seeking another term in office.

“Basin dili sila mudagan sa sunod nga eleksyon so mao na naa ko dinhi sa inyoha para mangampanya kay mudagan ko sa sunod nga eleksyon,” Duterte announced. (They might no longer run in the next election so I am here to campaign because I will run in the next election).

Duterte has been widely regarded as a presidential timber but is expected to face the challenge of Speaker Martin Romualdez, first cousin of President Marcos.

Top Filipino businessman Ramon S. Ang, president and chief executive officer of the San Miguel Corporation, is being considered by many as a dark horse in the 2028 presidential race.