VP Sara Duterte Speaks on Oath-Taking of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte after Davao Mayoralty Race Win
RODRIGO DUTERTE – Vice President Sara Duterte revealed that the former President initially wanted his lawyers to set him free so he can take his oath as the new mayor of Davao City.
In the 2025 Midterm Elections, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte won mayor of Davao despite his detention in The Hague. The former President is currently detained under the International Criminal Court as he faces an allegation of crimes against humanity before the ICC.
Duterte became a subject of the ICC investigation over his administration’s war on drugs. The drug war is linked to several deaths. According to the ICC, the prosecution team will present over 8,500 pages of written evidence against the former President.
In the 2025 Elections, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte ran with his youngest son, outgoing Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, as his running mate. His other son, Davao City First District Congressman Paolo Duterte also won his reelection bud. The Duterte family had a meeting for their thanksgiving following their multiple wins in the election.
Aside from the Duterte siblings, Congressman Pulong’s sons Omar and Rigo also won as Davao Second District Representative and Davao Councilor, respectively. Omar will join his father in the House of Representatives while Rigo will join his uncle Baste in the local government. If Baste will be the acting mayor, Rigo will be the vice mayor because he is the number one councilor in the recent electoral race.
Previously, the Duterte camp admitted discussing the options for the oath-taking of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte who is currently in The Hague. He cannot sit as mayor if he cannot take his oath before June 30. Currently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte and Davao Mayor Baste Duterte are in The Hague with their mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman.
Speaking outside the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte initially asked his lawyers to set him free so he can take his oath as Davao City Mayor. According to the Vice President, her father and his lawyers are discussing over his oath-taking.
“Pag-usapan daw nila ng lawyers niya [oath-taking]… Pero, initially, ang sinabi niya, ‘ Set me free and I will take an oath’,” the Vice President said based on a post of Marilou TagaBohol on Facebook.
Previously, the Department of Interior and Local Government or DILG said there will be no “work from Hague” for former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Duterte can only fulfill his job as the mayor of Davao if he is physically present in office.