Rodrigo Duterte, ex-Philippines president in ICC jail, wins election for Davao City mayor

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has won the mayoral race in Davao City on May 13.

According to Reuters, was re-elected mayor after recording a landslide victory over his opponent.

Duterte's win comes as the ex-president is currently in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged murder charges as crimes against humanity.

Running from prison, secured 405,000 votes

Early voting results released by the country's Commission on Elections revealed that Duterte had garnered over 405,000 votes compared to approximately 49,000 for his closest rival, reported The Guardian.

He was gunning for the mayor role while being in detention at the ICC Detention Centre in The Hague, Netherlands.

Duterte currently faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

He was arrested on Mar. 11, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC.

Son will serve as acting mayor

Under Philippines law, candidates are permitted to run for office unless they have been convicted by a local court.

Duterte's legal team is currently exploring options for him to take his oath of office from detention.

In the interim, his son Sebastian, who won the vice-mayoral race, is expected to serve as acting mayor.

The Duterte family's political influence remains strong in Davao City, with multiple family members winning local positions in the recent elections, reported Philippine broadcaster GMA Network.

However, the family's national political standing faces challenges, as Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, is undergoing an impeachment trial over allegations of corruption and plotting against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Top photo via Rody Duterte/Facebook