Rodrigo Duterte returns to the philippines’ political battle for Power

Rodrigo Duterte presents a diagram of drug syndicates in the country. (Flickr)

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his controversial campaign against crime, announced on October 7 that he would be running for mayor of Davao City. He hopes to return to the position he held for two decades before his presidency. Duterte’s decision to run for office in his home city is part of a larger power struggle between his family and the Marcoses, with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. serving as the current president.

The two began as allies in the 2022 election, with Sara Duterte, Rodrigo’s daughter, serving as the current vice president under Marcos Jr. However, the alliance fell apart when she resigned earlier this year from the president’s cabinet as Secretary of the Department of Education. The decision came after differences in dealing with issues on China and child abuse.   

According to ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute visiting senior fellow Aries Arugay, the resignation will provide room for Duterte to counter Marcos, leading to “dynasty versus dynasty.”  The Dutertes face other adversities in Davao. The Nograles family is challenging both the former president and his son’s spot in the mayoral and in the congress respectively. “They can mount a serious challenge. And if the Marcos Jr. administration will really pour resources [in through] money politics—no bailiwick is safe from that,” Arugay said. 

In response, the Dutertes are working to secure as many of the 12 spots available in the national senate as possible. Apollo Quiboloy, who served as Duterte's spiritual advisor and close ally, announced he would be running for senate. Philippine law enforcement arrested Quiboloy last month for allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking. According to the country’s law, candidates facing charges can run unless the Philippine government has convicted them and they have no appeals left. 

Human rights groups, such as the Human Rights Council, have been very critical of Duterte’s policies. This response comes from Duterte's crackdown on drugs during his six year presidency from 2016-2022, which brutally took more than 6,000 lives, according to the Filipino government. The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors claim the number is much higher, around 12,000 to 30,000.  While the ICC is investigating Duterte’s “war on crime,” Duterte has denied any responsibility for the “extrajudicial killing of drug suspects” but did order police to shoot any that resisted arrest during his term. 

Despite his reputation, Duterte and his family have remained popular for almost 40 years with more than 90 percent approval rate in Davao and Mindanao islands today. If elected, Duterte warned drug users that he would not hesitate to come after them. “If I’m going to run again as mayor, this early, I’m saying, better go to Cebu or Manila, not here in Davao City because, if I’m going to be mayor here, you will really die,” Duterte said to the media.  

Not only the Philippines’ domestic issues but also its foreign policies will change if the Dutertes regain control. The current president has slammed China for abusing its access to the South China Sea. In contrast, Duterte during his presidency pushed for a “separation from the United States” while openly requesting Chinese assistance in aid.