The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) plans to coordinate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow former President Rodrigo Duterte to take his oath as Davao City mayor, despite being in detention in The Hague.
In an interview, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Duterte, who won the 2025 mayoral race in Davao City, must be sworn in to officially assume office. The DILG intends to request the ICC’s permission for a Philippine consul to administer the oath.
Duterte was proclaimed the election winner by the Commission on Elections the day after the vote, securing an overwhelming mandate from the public, according to Remulla.
Due to his detention, Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the former president’s son, will serve as acting mayor until further notice.
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025 by Philippine authorities based on an ICC warrant. He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison, facing charges of crimes against humanity related to the drug war under his presidency.