Philippines: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, 79, has registered as a nominee for Davao mayor in the upcoming 2025 elections. Duterte, who ruled Davao for over two decades before assuming the presidency in 2016, pointed out his candidacy papers with the Election Commission, alongside his son and current mayor, Sebastian Duterte, who will be his running mate.
This political move arrives after a public rift between Duterte and the family of his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The fallout has fuelled speculation about future political manoeuvring, particularly as Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is widely considered to be gearing up for a potential presidential run in 2028.
Duterte stated that, “I want to serve you.” Duterte indicated his return to local politics in Davao, a city long dominated by his family. His return to the mayoral race is seen by analysts as an effort to reduce support for his family’s political future.
The 2025 midterm elections are shaping up to be a crucial battlefield for the Duterte and Marcos political dynasties. While Marcos Jr. cannot run for president again due to the Philippines’ single-term limit, his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, is expected to compete for the presidency in 2028. The outcome of the 2025 elections will probably influence both families’ positioning for this future contest.
Human rights investigations and drug war allegations
Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure as president was observed by his controversial drug war, which led to thousands of deaths. Official figures place the number of people killed in police crackdowns on illegal drugs at over 6,000, but estimates from International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors range from 12,000 to 30,000. The ICC continues to analyse allegations of human rights abuses linked to the drug war, while the Philippines’ House of Representatives is also conducting hearings on the matter.
Duterte has continually denied endorsing extrajudicial killings, though he often made public statements threatening drug suspects with death and instructed police to use lethal force against those who resisted arrest.
Sara Duterte’s political troubles
Meanwhile, Sara Duterte, who recently resigned from her roles as education secretary and the head of the anti-insurgency task force in July, is facing impeachment threats in the House of Representatives. Despite this, she remains a central figure in Philippine politics, and many expect her to follow in her father’s footsteps with a presidential bid in 2028.
As the political landscape intensifies, the Duterte family’s influence in Davao, their longtime stronghold, could play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future leadership.
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