Duterte running for Davao mayor, Baste for vice mayor

MANILA, Philippines — Five Dutertes are running for public office in Davao City in the May 2025 midterm elections, led by former president Rodrigo Duterte, who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor yesterday afternoon.

His son, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who accompanied him to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Davao City, also filed his COC for vice mayor.

Omar, the former president’s grandson and son of Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, filed his COC for representative of the city’s second district.

At midmorning yesterday, Paolo also filed his COC for reelection, while his other son, Rigo, filed his COC for councilor of the first district last week.

Should they win, there will be five Dutertes holding public office in Davao City.

In an interview after his filing, Sebastian told media that his tandem with his father is what they see as the best for the city.

Baste added that he is happy that his father still has a lot to give to the people.

“His form of governance is very rare and effective as what we have seen,” he said. “I know many are glad that he is back, and I am also happy that he is running.”

The former president had served as Davao City mayor for over 20 years before becoming president in 2016.

He was then succeeded by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

In an earlier interview, the former president had issued a warning to all drug pushers and other criminals to leave the city because they will all die once he becomes mayor.

He also challenged the Commission on Human Rights to tell the criminals to leave the city before he becomes mayor.

Nograles vs Duterte?

Amid these developments, Civil Service Commission Chairman Karlo Alexei Nograles has resigned from his post to seek public office in his hometown Davao City, the CSC said yesterday.

Although did not specify the elective position, Nograles is expected to run and face Duterte in a battle for city hall.

Nograles, who had about five years left in his seven-year term, sent his resignation to President Marcos yesterday.

“It is with mixed emotions that I tender my resignation as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission effective today, Oct. 7, 2024,” Nograles wrote in his resignation letter.

“This decision was difficult to make, as my time with the commission has been productive, fulfilling and inspiring. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such dedicated public servants,” he added.

Nograles, who was a key figure during the Duterte administration, said his experience with the CSC convinced him to return to Davao City where he intends to “bring and apply the lessons I have learned in my tenure as the head of the CSC, as well as my two decades in the government.”

Nograles was Davao City’s first district representative from 2010 to 2018.

He was succeeded by the former president’s son Paolo.

Nograles also served the Duterte administration as Cabinet secretary, occasional presidential spokesman and chairman of the presidential task force on zero hunger.

He was also spokesman for the previous administration’s COVID-19 task force.

He was appointed to the CSC by Duterte months before the latter stepped down as president.

Nograles was reappointed by Marcos as CSC chairman when the latter assumed the presidency and was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments months later.

Nograles’ resignation came on the second to the last day of the filing of COC for the 2025 midterm elections.

It also came amid the rift between the Marcos administration and the Duterte family.

Nograles said his over two years of service as CSC chairman yielded reforms that would benefit the country for years. “As I embark on this new path of public service, I leave the CSC extremely confident in its ability to steer our bureaucracy towards greater heights,” he said.

Several other congressmen are seeking reelection while some are vying for other local positions in their home provinces in next year’s polls.

House of Representatives lawmakers who want their terms extended for three more years are Representatives Janette Garin of Iloilo’s first district, Salvador Pleyto Sr. of Bulacan’s sixth district, Jay Khonghun of Zambales’ first district and Marissa Magsino of the OFW party-list.

“We will continue to provide quality public service for our fellow Ilonggos and the Filipino nation. We will continue to author laws that will strengthen the capacity and rights of each person towards better society,” Garin, a former health secretary, said.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman also filed his COC, no longer as congressman but as governor of the island-province.

Before his return to Congress, Hataman was governor of the then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the time of the late president Benigno Aquino III.

In filing his COC, Hataman was accompanied by his running mate, vice-gubernatorial candidate Alzad Sattar, a well-respected scholar and religious leader in the province, and Maluso Mayor Hanie Bud, whom Hataman endorsed to succeed him as Basilan’s congressman.

Hataman is running under the Liberal Party and the local Basilan Unity Party.

Meanwhile, former Legaspi City mayor Alfredo Garbin Jr. is aiming for a comeback in the House after he filed his COC as one of the nominees of Ako Bicol party-list.

Party-list

Several notable figures filed their certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONAs) yesterday, aiming for House seats in next year’s elections as party-list nominees.

Ako-Bicol party-list, currently holding two seats in Congress, filed for reelection with Rep. Elizaldy Co, who chairs the House appropriations committee, as its first nominee and Garbin as its second nominee.

Ako Ilocano Ako party-list Rep. Richelle Singson, the group’s first nominee, also seeks reelection.

Singson emphasized the party’s focus on advocating for farmers and improving access to health care in rural areas.

Asked why she chose to run under a party-list instead of district representative, Singson explained: “We are an addition. We want to serve all Filipinos.”

Bisaya Gyud party-list filed its CONA with Greco Belgica, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chief under the Duterte administration, as its first nominee.

Belgica, who unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in the 2022 elections, expressed confidence in securing a House seat this time.

Commenting on the ongoing House inquiry into extrajudicial killings, he said, “I have no problem with the investigations, but they should be within the law and not politicized.”

Belgica also emphasized addressing pressing issues, like the high cost of goods and national security, adding that he aims to abolish the real property tax while tackling red tape.

Heal PH party-list, with Jonathan Flavier, son of the late former health secretary and senator Juan Flavier, as its first nominee, also filed its CONA. Former Department of Health undersecretary Eric Tayag, popularly known as the “dancing doctor,” is the second nominee.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno led the filing for Akbayan party-list, and said the group seeks to emulate the legislative work of Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

“I have seen their long-standing service to the country,” Diokno, who recently left Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, said of Akbayan.

Akbayan is open to supporting an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, according to its second nominee, Rep. Perci Cendaña.

Nora Aunor, too

Veteran actress Nora Aunor has also joined the political race, filing her candidacy as the second nomi nee of the newly formed People’s Champ party-list.

Aunor, who previously endorsed the Bicol Saro party-list, said she is running to advocate for the rights of entertainment industry workers, citing her long-standing desire to help those in need.

Former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal leads Partido para sa Bagong Pilipino, which also filed for candidacy, focusing on improving access to safe water, digital infrastructure and stable power supply.

Turismo party-list, led by former tourism secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, entered the race with plans to amend the Tourism Act of 2009 to protect the industry from disruptions like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MPBL party-list also filed its CONA aiming at developing sports in the country, with Maharlika Pili pinas Basketball League commis sioner Kenneth Duremdes as its first nominee and Jinkee Pacquiao as its second nominee.

MBPL said former senator Man ny Pacquiao, who filed his COC for senator yesterday, is the group’s national advisor.

Other party-lists that filed their CONAs include Bayaning Pilipino, Pamilya Ko, 1Munti, Lunas, Bagong Henerasyon, APEC, Ako OFW, Ba bae Ako, Magsasaka, Kasambahay, Anak Kalusugan, Maagap, Pamily ang Magsasaka and Maharlika.

‘Guo bid delusional’

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) expressed disapproval over former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s intent to file her COC for next year’s elections, calling it “delusional.”

In an interview with dzBB, PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio questioned Guo’s decision to run anew for mayor of Bamban despite facing multiple legal cases and challenges to her Filipino citizenship.

“I hope someone pours cold water on her so she wakes up. What she’s doing is almost laughable. Every government agency is pursuing her for different cases,” Casio said. “We have proven that she is not Filipino. What more does she want to prove?”

Casio further emphasized that non-Filipino citizens are not eligible to run for public office.

“It’s simply not allowed. We have a task force meeting on Friday, and I will raise this issue because this is an affront to our dignity as Filipinos,” he said. — Neil Jayson Servallos, Delon Porcalla, Mark Ernest Villeza, Cecille Suerte Felipe