Singer-lawyer and senatorial candidate Jimmy Bondoc has called on supporters to rally for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte from The Hague and to stop political attacks on Vice President Sara Duterte.
Bondoc, who is trailing in the 2025 Senate race at 17th place with over 10.3 million votes—well outside the Magic 12—expressed gratitude to his voters but shifted focus to the Dutertes’ political struggles. He remains more than 2.6 million votes behind 12th placer Senator Imee Marcos.
In a Facebook post on May 13, Bondoc urged Filipinos to “bring Digong home” and to “stop targeting Sara,” calling it not just a personal plea, but a national concern.
He described the elections as a “temporary battle,” emphasizing the importance of unity, critical thinking, and meaningful public discourse. Bondoc also warned of what he claimed were manipulative efforts by unnamed groups sowing division in the country.
The former president is currently detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity. Despite his detention, Duterte secured a landslide win in Davao City’s mayoral race, defeating his former spokesman Karlo Nograles.
Meanwhile, Sara Duterte faces an upcoming Senate impeachment trial for alleged corruption and a supposed plot to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.
Bondoc, a long-time Duterte ally, previously held key posts at PAGCOR during Duterte’s administration and actively supported the family’s political campaigns.