Duterte may be proclaimed mayor unless convicted -Comelec

Former President Rodrigo Duterte may still be proclaimed as Davao City mayor unless convicted for crimes against humanity, the Commission on Elections said Sunday.

“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 told Super Radyo dzBB.

(As long as there is no final conviction in his case, whether here in the country or abroad, his name will be on the ballot. If there are no developments until election day and he wins, he will be proclaimed.)

Garcia noted that election candidates can be proclaimed even if they are not physically present during the ceremony.

Once proclaimed, Garcia explained that the Department of the Interior and Local Government may opt to create a permanent or temporary vacancy in Duterte’s position.

The Local Government Code states that the vice governor or vice mayor will assume the duties of the governor or mayor in case of such a vacancy.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong"  Marcos Jr. recently announced that Duterte had been brought to The Hague in the Netherlands to face charges related to the previous administration's war on drugs.

On Friday, Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court pre-trial chamber via video conferencing. The next hearing on the confirmation of charges is scheduled for September 23, 2025.

The Comelec clarified that Duterte remains a candidate for Davao City mayor in Eleksyon 2025 despite his arrest. 

It also confirmed that the former President can still campaign and vote from overseas. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News

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