Davao City, October 7, 2024 – Former President Rodrigo Duterte has filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to run for mayor of Davao City, marking a return to local politics nearly two years after stepping down from the national spotlight. The filing took place on Monday afternoon at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Magsaysay Park. Duterte’s move signals a new chapter in Davao’s political landscape, with his son, incumbent mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, shifting his candidacy to the vice mayor position.
The incumbent Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr. is set to vie for a council seat in the first district, while Omar Duterte, the eldest son of Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, will challenge Javi Garcia Campos for the position of second district congressman.
Implications of Duterte’s Mayoral Bid
Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to run for mayor after serving as the country’s president from 2016 to 2022 is expected to stir both local and national political dynamics. His popularity in Davao remains strong, having served as mayor for over two decades before his presidential bid. A return to local governance would not only bolster the political dominance of the Duterte family in the city but also raise questions about his future national ambitions.
On one hand, Duterte’s candidacy could be viewed as a strategic move to strengthen the political hold of his family in Davao. Local political observers suggest that the former president’s return as mayor may solidify a “dynastic consolidation,” ensuring the continuity of the Duterte brand in regional politics. His leadership experience and charismatic appeal are likely to attract overwhelming voter support, giving his political heirs room to expand their influence.
Baste Duterte’s Role as Vice Mayor
Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s decision to run for vice mayor opens a new discussion on his political trajectory. As the current mayor of Davao, his performance has been met with mixed reactions—praised for stability but questioned for a perceived lack of vision compared to his father’s bold governance style. By opting for the vice mayor position, Baste may be looking for a way to step back from executive responsibilities while remaining an influential figure within Davao’s political apparatus.
This shift may indicate an acknowledgment of his father’s larger-than-life presence in Davao politics, with the younger Duterte stepping aside to allow the former president to once again lead the city. However, it could also point to a desire to recalibrate his political career and align it more closely with family dynamics.
Omar Duterte’s Congressional Bid
Omar Duterte’s challenge to Javi Garcia Campos for the second district congressional seat further underscores the Dutertes’ intent to maintain or even expand their influence. As the son of Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, Omar’s candidacy introduces a new face of the Duterte political dynasty.
While Omar has gained local experience as a barangay captain in Buhangin, his run for Congress will be closely watched. His youth and relative inexperience compared to Garcia Campos, an incumbent figure from a politically established family, will likely make this race one of the more contentious battles in Davao’s 2024 elections.
The entry of Omar into national legislative politics could indicate that the younger Dutertes are being groomed for higher office, continuing the Duterte dynasty in a new generation. His success or failure may be an indicator of how deep the Duterte brand’s influence reaches beyond the presidency and into national governance structures.
Implications for National Politics
Rodrigo Duterte’s return to local politics raises the broader question of whether he plans to remain in the background or reemerge as a national political player in the future. While some might interpret his mayoral bid as a retreat from the national stage, it could also be a calculated move to keep his options open for future electoral contests, potentially as a kingmaker or even as a candidate in future national elections.
His popularity, particularly in Mindanao and the Visayas, remains strong, and his return to office—even on a local level—will reignite discussions about political dynasties in the Philippines. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration continuing to face challenges, Duterte’s presence in the political arena could offer an alternative power center in future elections.
Ultimately, this development highlights how political families continue to shape the landscape of Philippine politics, particularly in local strongholds like Davao. The 2024 elections will test the limits of that influence and set the stage for potential shifts in both local and national power structures.
Conclusion
Rodrigo Duterte’s return to Davao’s mayoral race is more than just a local political story—it reflects the durability of political dynasties in the Philippines and the strategic calculations that come with them. As his son Baste shifts to a supporting role and Omar Duterte enters a new stage of his political career, the Duterte family’s stronghold in Davao looks poised to continue, raising important questions about the future of both local governance and national leadership.
