Davao City, Philippines — With over 80% of the votes officially transmitted in the 2025 midterm elections, a familiar pattern is once again asserting itself in the heart of Mindanao: the Duterte political dynasty has claimed a sweeping victory in Davao City, solidifying their control over key local posts despite being besieged by legal challenges and political pressures at the national level.
The numbers are staggering. Former President Rodrigo Duterte, running for mayor under Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL), leads by an insurmountable margin with 618,961 votes, dwarfing independent rival Karlo Alexei Nograles’s 76,179. His youngest son, incumbent Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, secures re-election with 608,412 votes over independent challenger Bernie Al-ag’s 74,296. In the House races, First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, despite a pending investigation into an alleged bar altercation, commands a dominant 190,046 votes. His nephew Omar Duterte wins the Second District with 155,783 votes, while in the Third District, Duterte ally Isidro Ungab trounces his opponent with 161,294 votes.
Adding to the Duterte sweep is Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, the son of Paolo Duterte, who won a seat as councilor for the First District with 149,774 votes—a significant total that further cements the family’s multi-generational grip on Davao politics.
A Political Fortress or a Protest Vote?
This sweeping electoral performance could be interpreted as more than just local political dominance—it may also be a form of political resistance. In recent months, tensions between the Marcos-Duterte blocs have flared. The Romualdez-led House has taken steps that many perceive as targeting Duterte allies. In Davao, such developments may have been viewed not just as political maneuvering, but as an attack on a local identity long tied to Duterte-style governance: authoritarian, disciplined, and unapologetically “localist.”
Observers are now asking: are Dabawenyos sending a message to Manila?
The huge margins, despite the Duterte family’s legal entanglements, suggest a highly loyal electorate—perhaps even more galvanized by what they perceive as political persecution. Voter turnout in the city was also notably high, adding weight to the argument that this may be a form of collective defiance, if not outright protest against the Marcos-Romualdez political alliance.
The Duterte Brand Still Reigns
For years, the Duterte name has been synonymous with Davao City. From crime reduction to urban development, many Dabawenyos credit the family’s style of leadership with transforming the city into a regional economic and political powerhouse. This historical trust appears to persist—even when national narratives attempt to tarnish that legacy.
But the implications stretch beyond Davao. The Dutertes’ continued dominance in their hometown, despite being politically isolated and legally embattled, highlights the limitations of “imperial Manila” politics in dismantling deeply rooted local power structures.
Whether this momentum can be leveraged beyond Davao—or if the Duterte bloc will remain confined to its stronghold—is a question that will define the shape of the 2028 national elections.
Conclusion
The 2025 Davao results show more than just loyalty to a political family. They reflect a city’s refusal to disown a leadership style that it feels represents its values, identity, and history. In the face of national controversies, Dabawenyos appear to have doubled down—not just on the Dutertes, but on what the name symbolizes in their lives.
In politics, perception is power. And in Davao City, the Duterte name still holds that power in overwhelming measure.