MANILA, Feb 18 (Reuters): Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday that she will run for president in the 2028 elections while blaming incumbent leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr for the country's problems, including corruption.

The daughter of detained former leader Rodrigo Duterte is considered among the strongest potential contenders in the 2028 race by opinion polls with analysts saying her government could turn the major U.S.-ally away from Washington in favour of Beijing.

"It took me 47 years to understand that my life was never meant to be mine alone," Duterte said at a press conference, outlining what she described as the government's mounting failures, from inflation, an inadequate health care system, to persistent graft.

Duterte apologised for helping Marcos win the 2022 election when she ran as his vice-presidential running mate and helped him tap into her family's huge support base. Their alliance paved the way for the son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr to seal a comeback for the disgraced dynasty.

"I cannot kneel before every Filipino to beg for forgiveness. Instead, I offer my life, my strength, and my future in the service of our nation," she said atop a rostrum which bore no seal from her office.

Presidential palace press officer Claire Castro said Marcos wished Duterte "good luck", while disputing the vice president's accusations.

Under the constitution, the president is limited to a single six year term, which means incumbent Marcos Jr, a political rival, cannot seek reelection.

Photo from Reuters