Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s Mayoralty Bid in Davao
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The camp of the former President admitted that they are studying the options for his oath-taking in case he wins the mayoralty race in Davao City.
Amid his detention under the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, former Pres. Duterte remains a candidate for mayor and may even be proclaimed if he wins. That was the statement of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) a few days after the former President was arrested.
Duterte was arrested last March 11 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon his arrival from Hong Kong. He was detained at the Villamor Air Base for several hours before he was flown to The Hague via Dubai.
The former Philippine President is faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity over his administration’s drug war. Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte relayed his statement that he will just stay inside the ICC detention facility as he is not yet mayor of Davao.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is running for mayor in Davao City with his youngest son, outgoing Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, as his running mate. His youngest daughter, Kitty Duterte, fervently campaigned for her father in Davao as well as for her older brothers, Baste, and Congressman Pulong Duterte who is seeking reelection.
Recently, after Vice Pres. Sara Duterte casted her votes in the May 2025 Elections, the Vice President revealed that they are discussing about the oath-taking options if former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte wins mayor in Davao. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Vice President confirmed that she talked to her father’s ICC and Philippine lawyers.
“‘Yun ay pinag-uusapan namin ng kaniyang ICC lawyer at ng kaniyang Philippine lawyer kung paano siya maka-oath as winner ng mayor contest dito sa Davao City,” she said.
Based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said that they have until the noon of June 30 for the oath-taking of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte if he wins Davao City mayor. According to her, his ICC lawyer said they will talk about it again once they already have the proclamation papers.
“Sabi ng lawyer sa ICC, once we get proclamation papers, pag-uusapan namin ulit kung paano makapag oath si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. We have until the day after the proclamation, until noon of June 30 para siya maka-oath,” she said.
The Vice President just returned last April from The Hague. In one of the campaign sorties, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that the Filipinos is now paying the price for picking the “wrong leader”.