The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is coordinating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to facilitate the oath-taking of former president Rodrigo Duterte as Davao City mayor, despite his detention in The Hague on crimes against humanity charges.
Duterte won a landslide victory in the May 2025 elections, securing over 660,000 votes and continuing the Duterte family’s long hold on the city’s mayoralty.
Since Duterte cannot physically assume office, his son Sebastian Duterte, the vice mayor-elect, will serve as acting mayor with limited powers during his absence.
The DILG proposes that a Philippine consul administer Duterte’s oath in The Hague, pending ICC approval.
Duterte’s arrest in March under an ICC warrant has drawn international attention amid allegations linked to his controversial drug war.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 27, 2025
