Breaking New Ground: Sara Duterte and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Southeast Asia's Youngest Vice Presidents
Sara Duterte, the Vice President of the Philippines, and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the Vice President of Indonesia, are making history as Southeast Asia's youngest vice president.
With Sara in office since 2022 and Gibran newly inaugurated in 2024, they embody a fresh wave of youthful leadership in the region, infusing their countries' politics with a spirit of renewal and dynamism. Both leaders are known for their engaging approaches and a strong focus on issues that resonate with millennials and the broader population.
In the Philippines, Sara Duterte has emerged as a pivotal figure in government, actively shaping domestic policies and engaging in international diplomacy. As the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, she has forged an independent political career, prioritizing regional development, education, and food security.
Her charisma and commitment to addressing the aspirations of the Filipino people have garnered widespread support, particularly among the youth who are eager for leaders who reflect their hopes and dreams.
On the other hand, Gibran Rakabuming Raka has significantly impacted Indonesia at a remarkably young age. As the son of President Joko Widodo, Gibran first proved his leadership capabilities as the Mayor of Solo before stepping into the national spotlight.
His pragmatic leadership style emphasizes digital economy growth, development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and innovative governance practices. As Vice President, Gibran is poised to bring a refreshing perspective to Indonesian politics, empowering the younger generation's role in national decision-making processes.
Profiles of the Two Vice Presidents
Sara Duterte
Sara Duterte, born on May 31, 1978, in Davao City, Philippines, is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and flight attendant Elizabeth Zimmerman. Coming from a well-to-do family, her father placed a strong emphasis on education.
Sara initially pursued a degree in respiratory therapy at San Pedro College, graduating in 1999. Although she aspired to become a midwife, she later shifted her focus to law, earning her law degree from San Sebastian College in 2005. That same year, she passed the bar exam and began her career in the Office of Chief Justice Romeo Callejo.
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Sara's political career took off in 2007 when she was elected as the Vice Mayor of Davao, serving alongside her father. By 2010, she ascended to the position of Mayor of Davao, becoming the city's first female and youngest mayor.
After completing her term in 2013, she was re-elected in 2016 to lead Davao once again. In 2022, she decided to run for national office as Vice President alongside Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., representing the Partido Federal and Lakas-CMD coalition.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka
Born on October 1, 1987, in Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown before studying at Orchid Park Secondary School in Singapore. He briefly attended the University of Technology Sydney through a preparatory program before returning to Singapore to complete his education at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) in 2010.
Gibran’s political journey began when he joined the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and ran for Mayor of Solo in 2020. In that election, he and his running mate, Teguh Prakosa, won an impressive 86.53% of the vote, defeating independent candidates Bagyo Wahyono and FX Suparjo. They were inaugurated as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Solo on February 26, 2021, for the 2021-2024 term.
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Before finishing his term as Mayor of Solo, Gibran was nominated by the Golkar Party as the vice presidential candidate alongside Prabowo Subianto for the 2024 Presidential Election.
Despite some controversy over his age, as he had not yet turned 40, Gibran qualified for the candidacy due to his experience as a regional leader, following the Constitutional Court ruling number 90/PUU-XXI/2023. On October 25, 2024, Prabowo and Gibran officially registered with the General Election Commission as candidates for president and vice president, backed by Golkar and several other party coalitions.
