In a significant political development, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has achieved an overwhelming victory in the mayoral race of his hometown. The official confirmation on Tuesday revealed that Duterte won the Davao City mayoral position with an extraordinary majority, securing more than 660,000 votesโan impressive eightfold increase over his nearest competitor. The news was met with ecstatic chants of โDuterte, Duterteโ from his supporters.
Alongside Rodrigo Duterteโs win, his family continued to consolidate their influence in Philippine politics. His youngest son, Sebastian Duterte, who held the incumbent mayoral position, was elected as the vice mayor of Davao, while his eldest son, Paolo Duterte, retained his seat in the House of Representatives. Additionally, two of Duterteโs grandsons succeeded in securing positions in local government. The success of the Duterte family extends far beyond Davao as figures supported by them are faring well in Senate races, exceeding the expectations set by pre-election surveys.
In a message to her supporters, Duterteโs daughter, Veronica, took to social media, declaring โDuterte landslide in Davao!โ The familyโs political achievements come as a substantial boost for current Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial slated for July. The charges against her are serious, involving the alleged misuse of public funds and even accusations of plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Sara Duterte is perceived as a formidable contender for the 2028 presidential elections. However, should the Senate convict her, she risks losing her position and permanently being barred from holding public office. To secure her political future, she would require at least nine of the 24 senators to vote for her acquittal.
The unfolding Senate election results currently show five Duterte-favored candidates holding a lead for the 12 available positions, with others backed by Marcos alongside two opposition candidates. These developments are promising for Vice President Duterte, yet political experts caution that the outcome of her impeachment proceedings remains uncertain. According to Jean Franco, a political science expert from the University of the Philippines, the introduction of damaging evidence against Sara Duterte could jeopardize her prospects of escaping conviction.
The interim findings from the Senate races also suggest a decline in support for President Marcos, whose approval ratings slipped in April, potentially indicating shifts in the political landscape for the 2028 elections. Marcos expressed his gratitude to the electorate, acknowledging the peaceful and dignified conduct of the electoral process. In a statement, he emphasized the ongoing mission of his administration despite not securing all seats.
The political tensions between Marcos and the Duterte family have escalated partly due to Rodrigo Duterteโs arrest and extradition to The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity during his presidency. This legal saga has unfolded amidst the broader rupture in the alliances between Marcos and Sara Duterte, caused by political discord and competing ambitions. Supporters of Duterte have criticized Marcosโs government for facilitating Duterteโs arrest and transfer to a foreign tribunal, highlighting disputes over its jurisdiction.
Rodrigo Duterte, affectionately and notoriously known as โthe Punisherโ and โDirty Harry,โ served over two decades as Davaoโs mayor before his presidency from 2016 to 2022. His current detention by the International Criminal Court in The Hague stems from grave allegations linked to his harsh anti-drug campaign, yet under Philippine law, candidates facing legal proceedings remain eligible to contest elections until convicted. Sara Duterte maintained that discussions were underway with her fatherโs legal representation regarding the logistics of taking his oath of office while detained, with the vice mayor likely to assume administrative duties temporarily.