Former President Rodrigo Duterte who is detained in The Hague, Netherlands was unable to vote in the midterm elections, Vice President Sara Duterte said on Monday, May 12, 2025.

The vice president said her father was not able to register for absentee voting.

The former President’s lawyers reportedly tried to seek permission from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to allow Duterte to vote outside the provisions of the absentee voting law.

“Hindi sya pwedeng bumoto kasi hindi naman siya naka-register sa absentee voting and then, ang pagkakaintindi ko, sinubukan nung lawyers niya na magpaalam sa Comelec na kung pwedeng bumuto si dating pangulong Duterte outside of the absentee voting law kasi yung lang yung paraan na pwede siyang makabuto but hindi siya naka-register doon… ang pagkakaintindi ko wala siya,” the vice president said.

“Unfortunately, hindi niya na-exercise ‘yung right to vote niya this time and I am sure he is sad,” she added.

The former President is facing charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the killings in his administration’s war against illegal drugs.

He made his first appearance before the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber on March 14, 2025 via a video link from the ICC Detention Centre.

The confirmation of charges hearing was scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025.

The former President is running for mayor in Davao City, a position he previously held from 1988 to 1998, 2001 to 2010, and 2013 to 2016 before he became President, according to data gathered by GMA Integrated News Research.