Davao City Mayoral Race; Duterte siblings slugging it out

DAVAO CITY — First district Rep. Rodrigo Duterte, who is attempting to reclaim his former post as city mayor, got the surprise of his life when his younger sister, Jocelyn Duterte, beat last Wednesday deadline and filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor.

Jocelyn told reporters at the Commission on Elections office that her political bid was a "personal decision," explaining that she is also qualified and capable to serve as mayor.

The congressman’s partymates in the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod insinuated that Jocelyn’s candidacy could have been instigated by his fiercest rival, incumbent Mayor Benjamin de Guzman.

De Guzman, however, denied any hand in Jocelyn’s candidacy, saying he has no close association with her.

Duterte and De Guzman were former allies but parted ways late last year after it became clear that Duterte was bent on regaining the mayorship which he held for three consecutive terms until 1998 when he ran for Congress.

Local Comelec officials said Duterte has at least five days after the deadline for the filing of COCs to lodge a petition seeking Jocelyn’s disqualification.

Duterte’s former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman Duterte is also running for a city council seat in the first district. She opted to run as an independent, saying that although she lacks any political machinery, she has the support of various women and children’s rights advocacy groups.

Duterte’s brother, Benjamin, is seeking re-election as a councilor in the city’s third district.

Local Comelec officials expressed hopes that the issue on the rivalry between Duterte and Jocelyn would soon be resolved.