Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared set for a landslide election win as mayor of Davao City, despite being detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges related to his controversial “war on drugs.” With 80% of votes tallied, the 80-year-old Duterte was leading with eight times more votes than his closest rival. His continued popularity is attributed to his strong crime-fighting image, earning him nicknames like “Duterte Harry” and “the Punisher.”
Duterte’s return to political office resonated with his supporters, who flooded social media with congratulatory messages and calls for his leadership. His imminent ICC trial could make him the first former Asian head of state to face prosecution there. The circumstances surrounding his arrest—deemed by supporters as a kidnapping orchestrated by a foreign entity—have sparked outrage among his loyal base. Despite the accusations against him, including alleged extrajudicial killings in Davao during his prior mayoral tenure, analysts suggest that these developments have only solidified his support.
In the recent elections, his family maintained a strong political presence; his sons secured key positions, including re-election to Congress and the vice mayoral role. The political resilience of the Duterte family is under scrutiny, especially given the upcoming impeachment trial of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who could face a lifetime political ban if convicted.
Sara indicated plans to facilitate her father’s swearing-in ceremony as mayor once the election results are finalized, signifying the family’s intent to remain influential in Davao’s politics amid Duterte’s ICC challenges.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
