MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, despite being detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) thousands of miles away, appears to have been elected mayor of Davao City in a landslide victory, according to preliminary election results released on Tuesday. Duterte garnered more than half a million votes in his stronghold, nearly eight times more than his closest rival, as the country conducted its mid-term elections on Monday.
Alongside Duterte’s significant win, at least five candidates backed by his family are also leading in their respective races for 12 Senate positions, suggesting a stronger-than-expected showing for the Duterte clan. Pre-election surveys had indicated that only two of these candidates were likely to win. This outcome is seen as a boost for Sara Duterte, Duterte’s daughter and the current Vice President, who faces an impeachment trial in the Senate set for July. She is charged with multiple allegations, including misuse of public funds and an alleged plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the House speaker.
Sara Duterte is viewed as a strong contender for the upcoming presidential race in 2028. However, should she be convicted in her upcoming trial, she risks losing her position and facing disqualification from any future public office. To avoid conviction, she will need at least nine votes from the 24-member Senate in her favor.
While official election results are anticipated within a week, the partial and unofficial count from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting indicates a significant lead for Duterte in Davao City. His youngest son, Sebastian Duterte, who currently serves as the mayor, is leading the unofficial vote count for the vice mayor position, while his eldest son, Paolo Duterte, is also vying for re-election to the House of Representatives. This family’s continued electoral influence underscores the enduring political dynasty in the region.
In a show of support, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica, took to Facebook to celebrate her father’s overwhelming win in Davao. The former mayor and president, often referred to as “the Punisher” and “Dirty Harry,” previously held the mayoral position in Davao for two decades before ascending to the presidency. He is currently in custody of the ICC since March 2023, awaiting trial for crimes against humanity related to his violent war on illegal drugs during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
The looming impeachment trial and Duterte’s arrest marks a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly as the ties between President Marcos and the Duterte family seem to be deteriorating amidst political differences. Supporters of Duterte have criticized the Marcos administration for facilitating the former leader's arrest and cooperation with the ICC, a court whose jurisdiction they dispute.
According to Philippine law, individuals facing criminal charges, including those currently in detention, can still run for and hold office unless they have been convicted and all appeals have been exhausted. Following the elections, Sara Duterte mentioned to reporters that she was consulting with her father’s lawyers about how he might take his oath as mayor despite being incarcerated. It is widely expected that Sebastian would act as the interim mayor.
