Baste Duterte takes oath as Davao City mayor

Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Friday was officially sworn in as mayor of Davao City by virtue of the law of succession, after his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, failed to take his oath after winning the mayoral race in the city during the 2025 midterm elections. 

According to the City Government of Davao, Baste Duterte and his nephew, acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II, took their oaths as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at the Davao City Hall.

Rodrigo Duterte II is one of the sons of Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte. 

Regional Trial Court 11 Deputy Executive Judge Marie Estrellita Tolentino-Rojas administered the oaths of office to both officials.

To recall, former president Duterte was proclaimed mayor in the May 2025 elections, but he was unable to take his oath due to his arrest through a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands. 

Under Section 11 of the Omnibus Election Code, the office of any elected official may be considered vacant if they fail to take their oath within six months of proclamation.

In July last year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructed Baste to assume the role of acting mayor of Davao City due to the “temporary legal incapacity” of his father, who was proclaimed mayor-elect in absentia.—LDF, GMA Integrated News