Vice President Sara Duterte has already made her intentions clear—she is running for President in 2028. What remains unanswered is one of the biggest questions in Philippine politics today—who will she choose as her running mate?

If Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is indeed considering a national position, the vice presidency may be the role that best complements both his strengths and VP Duterte’s vision. Sara Duterte has previously said that her vice president would be entrusted with leading the fight against corruption—going after corrupt officials regardless of political affiliation or whether they served in past or present administrations.

That description fits Mayor Magalong remarkably well. A retired police general, Magalong has built his reputation on integrity, accountability, and good governance. Throughout his years as mayor, he has consistently projected an image of a public servant unafraid to confront corruption and demand institutional reforms.

On paper, a Sara Duterte–Benjamin Magalong tandem would be complementary rather than overlapping. Duterte would provide executive leadership and national direction, while Magalong could focus on the difficult work of strengthening institutions and ensuring that anti-corruption efforts are more than just campaign rhetoric.

Whether such a tandem will ever materialize remains uncertain. VP Duterte has yet to reveal her choice for vice president, and Mayor Magalong has not announced any final decision on his political plans.

But if the goal is to present Filipinos with a ticket that combines decisive leadership with a credible anti-corruption agenda, Benjamin Magalong deserves serious consideration as Sara Duterte’s potential running mate.