Vice President Sara Duterte says her mother advised her to leave national politics to her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte.
Key facts
- •Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial that could disqualify her from the 2028 presidential election.
- •Elizabeth Zimmerman, the mother of Sara and Sebastian Duterte, reportedly advised the Vice President to leave national politics.
- •Sebastian Duterte appeared as a witness in his sister's impeachment trial on September 29, 2026.
- •The Duterte family has held the Davao City mayoralty for approximately four decades.
- •Former president Rodrigo Duterte is currently in detention in the Netherlands under the International Criminal Court.
Vice President Sara Duterte stated on Tuesday that her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, has advised her to return to Davao City and leave national politics to her brother, Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte. The comments were made during a press conference in Davao City amid an ongoing impeachment trial that could bar the Vice President from the 2028 presidential election if she is convicted.
Potential Political Succession
While speculation has grown regarding whether Sebastian Duterte might seek the presidency as an alternative to his sister, the Vice President noted that they have not discussed a potential presidential run for him. Sebastian Duterte currently serves as the mayor of Davao City, a position he assumed after his sister was elected vice president in 2022.
Family Political History
The Duterte family has maintained control of the Davao City mayoralty for nearly 40 years. Sara Duterte previously held the office for three non-consecutive terms, succeeding her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Sebastian Duterte, who was elected vice mayor in 2025, took over the mayoral post following his father's inability to serve due to his detention by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.
Timeline
- 2022Sebastian Duterte became mayor of Davao City after his sister won the vice presidency.
- 2025Sebastian Duterte was elected as vice mayor of Davao City.
- September 29, 2026Sebastian Duterte testified as a witness during his sister's impeachment trial.
- October 6, 2026Sara Duterte held a press conference in Davao City addressing her family's political future.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler.
