Duterte open to running for Davao City mayor in Eleksyon 2025

Former President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday evening he would be willing to run for mayor of his hometown Davao City in the May 2025 elections.

At a news conference in Davao City, Duterte inquired from the media if the public opinion was in favor of him returning as mayor of the city that he had led for over two decades before winning the presidency in 2016.

When some members of the press replied in the affirmative, Duterte said, ''Sige, mag-mayor tayo (Sure, let's run for mayor).''

Duterte said his son, incumbent Mayor Sebastian ''Baste'' Duterte, ''should be the vice mayor.''

The former president also appeared to have ruled out the possibility of running for senator even as opinion polls indicated that he was among the favorites to win Senate seats in the upcoming year.

Duterte cited his age and physical health.

"You think I can carry a national campaign at my age, or you want me to die?'' the 79-year-old asked. ''Magko-collapse lang ako niyan (I will only collapse).''

''Mukhang hindi ko na kaya (I can no longer endure a national campaign). Let us be realistic about it,'' he added.

Earlier, PDP president Robin Padilla said the party would wait for Duterte's decision whether to run for senator until the last day of filing of candidacy papers on October 8.

“Bilang partido, ako ang presidente ng PDP, gusto ko na tumakbo siya. Kung hindi siya, isa sa mga anak niya,” the senator told reporters on Friday.

(As PDP president, I personally want him to run. If not him, then one of his children.)

“Para sa amin, napakahalaga sa PDP na may Duterte dahil ang PDP ay Duterte,” Padilla said.

(For us, it's important for PDP to have a Duterte because PDP is a Duterte party.)

Senator Ronald ''Bato'' dela Rosa, also a PDP member, said they were also encouraging Mayor Duterte to join the senatorial race. 

'Davao will remain peaceful'

During the same presser, Duterte made it known that he will continue his war against criminal syndicates.

"Gubyerno ako. As early as today I am warning drug dealers: mangangamatay kayo! Bring it somewhere else. At this early sabihin ko na: Lumayo na kayo. Ngayon kayo na. Kung may mga droga ka maghanap ka na lang ng ibang lugar. Kalaki naman ng Pilipinas, mamili ka Cebu, Manila duon kayo. Kung ako mayor mangangamatay talaga kayo!"

He reiterated his stance when he was mayor of Davao.

"Yun ang sinabi ko ng mayor ako. Hindii sila naniwala. Extra-judicial killings. Huwag na natin pag usapan. Ayaw ko ng droga, ayaw ko ng kidnapping. Hayaan mo ang Davao na mag bloom, sa sarili niya. Wala problema tao dito. Laking Davao ako e. Do not (mess) with me," he added.

"This is my city and I want it a peaceful city. Hindi naman ako nakikialam sa mga tao dito. I just want a peaceful city. Pag inbutan ko kayo patayan talaga tayo. Pati yung human rights sabihan ko na kayo: Kaya yang mga human rights ikontak na nila itong (mga taong) ito. Kasi mamamamay talaga yang mga 'yan."

Duterte said he wants to continue to protect the children of the city if he ever runs for local office.—VBL/RF, GMA Integrated News