One of these men, Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, has done it again. He has since won a Davao City mayoral election while being detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Duterte’s got a solid 405,000-vote margin in what may be the biggest political realignment ever in the Philippine republic. This victory is all the more remarkable as he fights major charges related to his notorious “war on drugs.” His win is not just a personal victory, but an indication of the continuing political legacy of the Duterte family in Davao.
As the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been announcing the election results. Even with about 80% of the ballots counted, it seemed clear that Duterte would take more than 60% of the vote. His closest rival was far behind him at only 49,000 votes. Duterte’s two sons have set themselves up for electoral success in the upcoming election. One son returned to Congress as a re-elected member, while the other emerged victorious from the race for his city’s vice-mayoralty.
Impeachment Clouds Family’s Political Future
It’s time to celebrate Rodrigo Duterte’s electoral success. At the same time, his daughter, Sara Duterte, occupies the vice presidency in the Philippines and is heading into an impeachment trial. Regardless of the outcome, this trial has very real repercussions – if convicted, she faces a potential lifetime ban from holding political office.
Sara Duterte has been forced to admit her father’s absence, as he is currently under detention. As such, she continued, “he will not be here. Our expectation is that Vice Mayor Sebastian will be the acting mayor.” The political landscape for the Duterte family is becoming increasingly complex as they navigate these challenges while maintaining their influence in Davao and beyond.
Supporters of the candidate have made clear their elation at Rodrigo Duterte’s victory, with supporters flooding social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to post their excitement. Friends and supporters cheered one of the texts saying, “Congrats, Tatay (father) D! Let’s get him home!” Yet this statement of support emphasizes the profound loyalty and hope his supporters have for his resurrection to public service.
Controversies Surrounding Rodrigo Duterte
Rodrigo Duterte’s election comes amid significant controversy. In March, the Philippine police acted upon an arrest warrant issued by the ICC and arrested him. He is under investigation for mass murder and crimes against humanity due to his violent drug war, which has left thousands of civilians dead. His impending trial makes him the first Asian former head of state to be put on notice by the ICC.
Even in the face of these grave charges and his eventual imprisonment, Duterte’s electoral success highlights how solidly entrenched his political base is. His most ardent supporters still see him as a steady hand and a calming influence and wise leader. His previous Facebook page has been flooded with messages from appreciative fans thrilled that he is back in the business of government.
The Legacy of the Duterte Family
The political legacy of the Duterte family in Davao is hard to overstate. The enduring political influence of Rodrigo Duterte can be seen in his recent electoral success, which further cements this dominance. Despite sitting in detention, his family still holds significant sway over local elected politics. This brings about greater challenges and questions of how governance should look in the new Philippines.
