Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is once again in the spotlight as he declares his intention to run for mayor of his hometown, Davao City. This announcement has generated considerable interest in his possible return to politics.
On October 7, the 79-year-old Duterte officially submitted his candidacy papers to the local election commission in Davao, which is situated on the southern island of Mindanao. Notably, his running mate will be Sebastian Duterte, the current mayor and his son.
Duterte has a long history with Davao City, having served as mayor for over twenty years before his presidency, where he established a reputation for his controversial yet influential leadership.
After filing his candidacy, Duterte reaffirmed his dedication to the community, stating, “I want to serve you.” He shared his vision for Davao to be “better than yesterday.”
Political analysts believe that this move is a strategic one, intended to strengthen support for his daughter, Sara Duterte, who is anticipated to run for president in 2028.
