Former President Duterte, family, and allies dominate midterm elections in Davao City

DAVAO CITY (May 12)—The people of Davao City have spoken based on the partial official Comelec results, and their loyalty to the Duterte family remains firmly established.

With the official canvassing nearly complete, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte secured a landslide victory in his bid for mayor, alongside his running mate and son, incumbent Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who ran for vice mayor.

Rodrigo Duterte received 645,299 votes, decisively defeating his closest rival, Karlo Alexei Nograles, who garnered only 79,503 votes. His son Baste Duterte obtained 634,252 votes, winning over Bernie Al-ag, who received 77,588 votes.

In the First District congressional race, the former president’s eldest son, Paolo Duterte, garnered 198,597 votes, far ahead of Migs Nograles, who received 48,065 votes.

The Duterte family’s political strength was further bolstered by Rodrigo “Omar” Duterte, who secured 160,086 votes in the Second District congressional race, defeating Javi Campos, who garnered 90,005 votes.

In the First District Council elections, Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II topped the list of winning councilors, along with fellow Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod party members: Melchor Quitain Jr., Luna Acosta, Cookie Bonguyan, Bons Militar, Ragde Niño Ibuyan, Tek Ocampo, and Pamela Librado.

Omar Duterte’s allied slate in the Second District also dominated, with the following councilors securing seats: Diosdado Mahipus Jr., Ralph Abella, Louie John Bonguyan, Che-Che Justol, Al Ryan Alejandre, Danny Dayanghirang, Nonong Cabling, and Doce Apostol.

In the Third District, reelectionist and Duterte ally Isidro Ungab retained his congressional seat by a wide margin. The third district council lineup was similarly swept by Duterte-aligned candidates, led by Ungab’s brother Alberto, followed by Enzo Villafuerte, Sweet Advincula, Petite Principe, Rachel Zozobrado, Potpot Villafuerte, Jopet Baluran, and Myrna Daolo-Ortiz.

The election results reinforced the popular Duterte slogan: “Davaoeños are not for sale.” Despite the reported distribution of “ayuda” (cash assistance) by candidates from the administration, it failed to translate into electoral victories for their slate.