Former President Rodrigo Duterte remains eligible to run for Davao City mayor in Eleksyon 2025 unless he is convicted of crimes against humanity, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified on Sunday. Despite his arrest, the poll body confirmed that Duterte’s name will stay on the ballot, and he can still campaign and vote from overseas.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia emphasized that Duterte’s candidacy is valid unless a final conviction is reached. “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,” he 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 also noted that a candidate does not need to be physically present during the proclamation. However, if Duterte is elected but remains unable to assume office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) may declare a temporary or permanent vacancy in his position. As stated in the Local Government Code, the vice mayor or vice governor will take over in such cases.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently confirmed that Duterte was taken to The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges related to his administration’s war on drugs. On Friday, the former President appeared via video conference before the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) pre-trial chamber, with the next hearing on the confirmation of charges scheduled for September 23, 2025.
