Risa: United opposition bets named by year-endMANILA, Philippines — The “united opposition” will announce by year-end the common candidates they will field in the 2028 general elections after Vice President Sara Duterte declared her bid for the presidency. She confirmed that this opposition camp had been meeting ahead of Duterte’s early presidential announcement to firm up their ranks. Robredo – who ran but lost to Marcos in the 2022 polls – is part of initial talks to prepare for 2028, Hontiveros said. Sara’s timingPolitical analyst and former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez believes that the timing of Duterte’s declaration is linked to the upcoming impeachment proceedings against her. Gutierrez, a former spokesman of Robredo, described Duterte’s declaration as “surprisingly weak.” – Janvic Mateo

Source: Philippine Star February 18, 2026 16:03 UTC