In Davao, Duterte grandson leads city council
DAVAO CITY—The grandson and namesake of former President Rodrigo Duterte took the political center stage on Tuesday as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) implemented a succession following the failure of the former Philippine leader to assume office as mayor on Monday.
Duterte, 80, who was proclaimed mayor-elect in absentia, was not able to take his oath of office while in detention in The Hague, the Netherlands, while awaiting proceedings of the International Criminal Court where he is facing a charge of crime against humanity of murder due to his administration’s drug war.
To ensure continuity of leadership in the city, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla ordered Duterte’s son, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, to assume the role of acting mayor. The DILG also designated Duterte’s grandson, Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, the top councilor, as acting vice mayor.
On Tuesday, Rodrigo II took the reins of the council and presided over its first regular session which was mainly devoted to organizing the leadership of its committees.
In his inaugural speech, Rodrigo II called on city councilors to “stand united in our commitment to progress, transparency and the betterment of all Dabawenyos.”
Rodrigo II, 27, is the son of Rep. Paolo Duterte who won a council seat to represent the city’s first district.
Rodrigo II vowed to consolidate Davao’s peace gains and to champion health care, education and housing in the city council.
