Brother of FPRRD confirms Duterte in jubilant mood following 2025 NLE outcome

Rewritten Article:

Former President Duterte Thrilled by Election Victories amid ICC Detention

Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is over the moon following the outcomes of the May 12, 2025 national and local elections, according to his younger brother Benjamin "Bong" Duterte, who visited him at The Hague's International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center.

Bong shared this news with supporters and the media on May 14, highlighting that the re-elected leader was ecstatic about the incredible support in Davao City and expressed gratitude knowing the Dabawenyos hadn't deserted him despite the alleged charges against him.

Even though he's detained due to drug-related charges, Duterte triumphed in his bid to return as Davao City's mayor. He's held this position for more than 20 years before ascending to the presidency in 2016.

The Commission on Elections-Davao Region (Comelec-Davao) and Davao City's Board of Canvassers swore in Duterte as the mayor-elect after he secured 662,630 votes, significantly defeating his opponent, lawyer Karlo Nograles, who received only 80,852 votes.

Ironically, Baste Duterte, the incumbent City Mayor, won the vice mayoralty race with 651,356 votes, outmaneuvering Bernie Al-ag who earned 78,893 votes.

The Duterte family dominated the congressional races as well. In the First District, Paolo "Pulong" Duterte was re-elected with 203,557 votes against Migs Nograles' 49,186. In the Second District, Omar Vincent Duterte, the Buhangin Barangay Captain, snatched the win with 160,432 votes, dethroning City Councilor Javi Garcia who received 90,156. The First District council race leader was Rodrigo "Rigo" Duterte II, FPRRD's grandson.

These electoral victories underline the Duterte family's persevering political dominance, despite legal challenges confronting the former president.

Bong also revealed the good news of Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Duterte's longtime aide, topping the unofficial and partial senatorial race with over 26 million votes. Moreover, he reported that several opponents of Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte were defeated in the elections.

"I told him there were twists in the senatorial race, but overall, I reassured him not to worry because I believe the support remains with Vice President Sara," Bong commented.

Rodrigo Duterte, 80, was apprehended by the ICC on March 11. At present, he's being detained while dealing with charges of crimes against humanity, attributed to the drug war during his presidency.

His legal team petitioned for him to vote in the 2025 elections, but the Philippine government denied the request, stating that he had not registered as an overseas absentee voter during the compulsory period between December 2022 and September 2024.

Questions linger regarding Davao City's leadership in Duterte's absence. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will need to determine whether his situation constitutes a temporary or permanent vacancy. If temporary, Baste will act as mayor until his father takes office. If permanent, Baste will officially become mayor, and the councilor with the highest number of votes, likely Rodrigo Duterte II, would assume the role of vice mayor.

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There are no specific rules regulating a former president's service as a mayor while simultaneously undergoing ICC detention. The ICC only concentrates on international charges and detention procedures, not on domestic political status or office holding. The ICC's mandate has no provision for remote governance from ICC detention. Any political role during detention would be governed by the detainee's country's domestic laws, and the ICC's international criminal jurisdiction doesn't extend to such matters. The ICC’s detention doesn't permit active participation in political office due to practical obstacles, making it a legally ambiguous situation with no precedent for a detainee serving in such capacity while under ICC jurisdiction.

Amidst the ICC detention, the former president, Rodrigo Duterte, expressed joy over his victories in the May 12, 2025 elections, particularly his re-election as Davao City's mayor.
Despite legal challenges and being detained due to drug-related charges, Duterte's dominance in politics was highlighted as he overwhelmingly defeated his opponent in the mayoral race.
The Duterte family also saw success in the congressional races, with Paolo Duterte re-elected in the First District and Omar Vincent Duterte winning in the Second District.
Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, a longtime aide of Rodrigo Duterte, topped the unofficial and partial senatorial race, further reinforcing the political influence of the Duterte family.