Rodrigo Duterte Leads Davao Mayoral Race Despite ICC Custody, VP Duterte Votes

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity linked to his brutal anti-drug campaign, remains a dominant political figure as he runs for mayor of Davao City, his longtime stronghold. Despite being thousands of miles away in The Hague, Duterte is widely expected to win the mayoral race, with his supporters in Davao showing strong public support through campaign events and widespread enthusiasm. Vice President Sara Duterte, his daughter, voted in the midterm elections and expressed confidence that more than two candidates from their endorsed “DuterTEN” slate will secure Senate seats, emphasizing continuity of her father's political agenda. The midterm elections are seen as pivotal in determining the future political influence of the Duterte family, as more than 68 million Filipinos vote for half the Senate and local officials. Duterte’s detention has sparked a mixture of local defiance and sympathy among his supporters, who question the ICC’s evidence and remain hopeful for his return. Meanwhile, the political landscape is marked by the enduring popularity of Duterte and his family despite legal challenges and international scrutiny.