DILG Eyes ICC Permission for Duterte to Take Oath as Davao City Mayor
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MAY 27,2025
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is exploring the possibility of allowing former President Rodrigo Duterte, currently under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, to formally take his oath of office as mayor of Davao City.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Monday that the department recognizes Duterte’s overwhelming win in the May 12 elections, where he garnered 662,630 votes, trouncing rival and former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who received only 80,852 votes.
“We recognize the victory of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections with a clear and overwhelming mandate,” Remulla told reporters during a chance interview in Quezon City.
However, Duterte’s current situation—being detained by the ICC since March 11 on charges related to alleged crimes against humanity from his controversial war on drugs—poses a legal and logistical dilemma.
DILG-ICC Custody Could Complicate Mayoral Oath
Despite his landslide victory, Duterte remains in The Hague. Remulla emphasized that under the Local Government Code, Duterte must be physically present in the country to assume his duties as an elected official.
“What I can do is ask the ICC for permission if our consul can go to him so he can take his oath,” Remulla said. “But ultimately, he needs to be here to perform his job.”
If Duterte cannot fulfill his duties due to legal or physical absence, the Local Government Code mandates that the vice mayor will take over as acting mayor. In this case, that would be Duterte’s youngest son, Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
Temporary vacancies such as travel, leave of absence, or legal impediments—including arrest—justify the vice mayor assuming office responsibilities, according to the law.
Sara Duterte to Visit ICC for Father’s Birthday
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte plans to celebrate her birthday with her father in The Hague. She left the country on May 27 for Doha, Qatar, where she will first meet with the Filipino community before traveling to The Netherlands.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed that Sara will arrive in The Hague on May 30 and remain there until June 3. On her birthday, May 31, she will join a “peaceful gathering” organized by Filipino supporters outside the ICC office.
This visit comes amid growing public curiosity and international attention surrounding the Duterte ICC case and the family’s unified front despite the legal troubles. NOWTREND
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