Rigo Duterte being proclaimed councilor of Davao City

MANILA, Philippines – Grandsons of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte have just made a landslide sweep into the local politics of Davao City in the 2025 midterm elections. 

Even if the city has long been the stronghold of the Dutertes, the two said they were still in disbelief at winning the polls.

Rodrigo Duterte II, the former president’s 27-year-old grandson and namesake won with 192,324 votes catapulting him to the top spot in the city council. 

“Nagulat nga ako. Inexpect ko na magpasok lang ako sana. If God willing, ibibigay ito ng Diyos pero hindi ako nag-expect na number one,” he told reporters after his proclamation. 

“Napaiyak ako, ma’am. Na-proud talaga ako, napaiyak talaga ako, tears of joy,” he said. 

Even if the Duterte patriarch’s faith remains uncertain, Rigo said their family hasn’t talked about the possibility of him taking the function of the vice mayor as his uncle newly-elected Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte likely would be the acting mayor in the absence of the former president. 

“Sa ngayon, wala pa kasi kami napag-usapan na ganyan pero if ever na magdating man sa panahon na ganyan talaga, maghintay kami sa kung ano sabihin ni Mayor Rody at ni Vice Mayor Baste,” Rigo said. 

“Kung ano ang trabaho ng tatay ko, vice mayor din naman siya at si Tito Baste ko naging vice mayor din, so susundin ko na lang,” Rigo said. 

Duterte’s eldest grandson Omar meanwhile is set to join his father, Paolo after securing the congressional seats in the first and second districts of the city. 

Omar led with 160,432 votes against rival Javi Garcia Campos’ 90,156. 

“I wasn’t really expecting anything… I just put my belief in the people lang din,” he said. 

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