In a striking show of enduring loyalty, imprisoned former president Rodrigo Duterte has been reelected mayor of his family’s political stronghold by a landslide, even as he awaits trial at The Hague for crimes against humanity.
Unofficial results show the 80-year-old securing over 80% of votes in Davao City, a visceral rebuke to international justice by his supporters amid a deepening feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s rival clan.
With Duterte detained since March over thousands of extrajudicial killings during his drug war, logistical and legal hurdles loom over his mayoral inauguration.
His daughter Sara, the impeached vice president, confirmed discussions between his Philippine and ICC lawyers about administering the oath remotely. Power in Davao will likely default to his son Sebastian, who leads the vice mayoral race, creating a surreal governance arrangement where the city hall answers to a cell in the Netherlands.
The election laid bare the Philippines’ polarized political landscape. Tens of thousands celebrated Duterte’s birthday in March with candlelit vigils, framing his prosecution as persecution. “He’s our idol, he cleaned our streets,” said a civil servant who requested anonymity, echoing supporters who see him as a martyr.
Yet opposition candidates critical of both Dutertes and Marcoses gained unexpected ground, suggesting voter fatigue with the dynastic feud.
The vice president’s political survival now hinges on the newly elected Senate, where her allies outperformed expectations by securing five seats.
With her impeachment trial set for July over alleged fund misuse and threats against Marcos, she needs to prevent 16 senators from convicting her, an outcome that would end her 2028 presidential ambitions.
The Marcos camp, while winning six seats, fell short of predicted gains, leaving both clans weakened but still dominant.
