DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 January) – Acting Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte and Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” S. Duterte II officially took their oaths of office as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City, respectively, before Regional Trial Court (RTC) XI Deputy Executive Judge Marie Estrellita S. Tolentino-Rojas at Davao City Hall on Friday. Sebastian succeeded his father, Rodrigo, who was elected for an 8th term as mayor in May 2025 but whose seat was declared permanently vacant on November 13, 2025, after failing to take his oath within six months of his proclamation by the Commission on Elections. Rodrigo was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11, 2025, upon arrival from Hong Kong and flown to The Hague, where he remains detained to face charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. Rigo, the first district councilor who topped the council race, succeeded Sebastian as Vice Mayor. Members of the Duterte family and allies, including Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab and lawyer Martin Delgra, attended the oath-taking, along with Mika Chan, Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Davao City. Sebastian and Rigo had previously assumed their roles in an acting capacity on June 30. According to Section 44 of the Local Government Code, the vice mayor succeeds the mayor in case of a permanent vacancy, and the highest-ranking Sanggunian member becomes vice mayor. Section 11 of the Omnibus Election Code mandates elected officials to take their oath within six months of proclamation; failure to do so results in a permanent vacancy. In October, MindaNews inquired with the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) regarding Rodrigo’s mayoralty status by November 13. Romeo Benitez, DILG Undersecretary for External, Legal and Legislative Affairs, confirmed the vacancy on November 6. In a press release, Rigo thanked Dabawenyos for their support and pledged to serve with integrity and responsibility. The Duterte family, Davao’s most influential political dynasty, has held local elective posts for nearly 40 years. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
