Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been proclaimed Davao City mayor, securing a sweeping victory in the 2025 midterm elections despite being detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Duterte received 662,630 votes, far ahead of rival Atty. Karlo Nograles, who got 80,852 votes. His son, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, also won the vice mayoral race with 651,356 votes, defeating Bernie Al-Ag.
With Rodrigo currently imprisoned on crimes against humanity charges over the Duterte administration’s drug war, Baste will act as mayor under the Local Government Code’s rules on absentee governance.
Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed they are consulting with Duterte’s legal teams on how he can formally take his oath of office, with a deadline set before noon of June 30.
The Duterte political dynasty further cemented its grip in Davao:
- Paolo “Pulong” Duterte won reelection as 1st district representative.
- Omar Duterte, Rodrigo’s grandson, secured the 2nd district congressional seat.
- Isidro Ungab, a Duterte ally, won in the 3rd district.
- Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, Pulong’s son, topped the 1st district councilor race.