In yet another dramatic episode of Davao City’s political narrative, the recent local elections proved once more that the Duterte stronghold is far from shaken. Despite being detained in The Netherlands and unable to campaign personally, former President Rodrigo Duterte still managed to trounce Karlo Nograles with a commanding lead, showing that the Dutertes’ grip on Davao remains as firm as ever.
Once again, a Nograles has tried—and failed—to unseat the city’s most enduring political dynasty. The defeat of Karlo Nograles is not just about numbers; it’s a powerful statement from Dabawenyos themselves. This echoes the events of 2010, when the late Speaker Prospero Nograles—Karlo’s father—went head-to-head with Sara Duterte for mayor, while Rodrigo Duterte faced off with Benjamin De Guzman for vice mayor. The call for “Change we need, Change we must!” was just as strong then. But the people responded with a resounding No.
Fast forward 25 years, and history repeats itself. Dabawenyos have once again rejected the change that the Nograles family offers. The question then arises—what change, exactly, are they proposing?
Because when you take a hard look at Davao City, the clamor for change seems misplaced. The city has consistently led in delivering programs and services that many other local governments are still dreaming of: free education, free medicine, efficient health care, a quick-response emergency system, and relatively high levels of peace and order. In a nation where dysfunction is often the norm in local governance, Davao has become an example of what functional leadership looks like.
Of course, no leadership is perfect. No political dynasty is without criticism, and no local government can please everyone. But if you compare Davao to other large urban centers in the Philippines, the city remains commendable—livable even, by many standards. Its branding slogan “Life is Here” isn’t just feel-good PR; it’s a reality Dabawenyos are clearly not ready to gamble with.
The continued dominance of the Duterte clan isn’t just about loyalty or nostalgia. It’s a vote for stability, continuity, and familiarity in governance. It may be easy for critics to cry “dynasty” or “lack of change,” but for the people of Davao, it seems the real question is: Why fix what isn’t broken?
Karlo Nograles and his team may need to rethink what “change” truly means for Dabawenyos. Because right now, that word—no matter how hopeful it sounds—feels empty in a city that already sees itself thriving.
In Davao City, the ballot has spoken, loudly and clearly: Change may be a national call, but here, the people have chosen consistency.
And maybe—just maybe—that’s the kind of change they truly believe in.