The Commission on Elections (Comelec) stated on Sunday that former President Rodrigo Duterte could still be proclaimed as Davao City mayor unless he is convicted of crimes against humanity.
“Hangga’t walang final conviction doon sa kanyang kaso, maaring dito sa loob ng bansa o sa labas, ang pangalan niya ay nasa balota, ang pangalan niya maiboboto kung sakaling walang development mula ngayong hanggang araw ng election at kung manalo, siya’y mapoproklama,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
Garcia emphasized that candidates can still be proclaimed winners even if they are unable to attend the ceremony in person.
Once proclaimed, he explained that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could decide to declare a temporary or permanent vacancy in Duterte’s position, in which case the Local Government Code states that the vice mayor would assume the mayoral duties.
Duterte’s Ongoing ICC Case
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently confirmed that Duterte had been taken to The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges related to his administration’s war on drugs.
Last Friday, Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) pre-trial chamber via video conference. The next hearing to confirm the charges is set for September 23, 2025.
Despite his legal troubles, Comelec clarified that Duterte remains a qualified candidate for Davao City mayor in the upcoming 2025 elections.
