Danniell Domingo

Marking his return in politics, Former President Rodrigo Duterte has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as Davao City mayor, with incumbent Mayor Sebastian Duterte running as his vice mayoral candidate.

Photo Courtesy of Inquirer.net.

The former president filed his COC on Oct. 7, the second to the last day of filing, at the Commission on Elections office in the city.

In a press conference on Oct. 5, the elder Duterte hinted that he would run as mayor if it is a ‘public clamor’. 
 
“Is it the public clamor? Gusto ng tao ibig sabihin? Sige mag-mayor tayo. What will happen to Mayor baste? He should be the vice mayor,” Duterte said on the same day.

Vice President Sara Duterte bared earlier this year that her father and two brothers were aiming for Senate positions in the 2025 midterm elections.

However, the former president had denied and said that he will not return to politics, citing that he does not have the funds to run and ‘perhaps what is left is arrogance’.

Other Dutertes of Davao City will also join the 2025 midterm elections.

Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, also the son of the former president, officially made his bid for reelection by filing his COC in Davao City on Oct. 7.

His two sons, Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II and Omar Duterte have also filed their COC in Davao City for councilor of the first district and congressman in the second district, respectively. 

The former president served as Davao City mayor for over two decades, holding the position from 1988 to 1998, again from 2001 to 2010, and then for a final term from 2013 to 2016 before his successful bid for the presidency.