Duterte Wins Davao City Mayoralty in Landslide, Raising Questions on How to Manage the City from Detention

Despite being detained in The Hague for crimes against humanity, former President Rodrigo Duterte won the Davao City mayoralty election by a landslide, securing 539,141 votes. This development raises questions on how he will manage the city from his detention cell, with some speculating that he may work from home, while others argue that he must take an oath of office before an authorized officer to assume the office. Election lawyers have shared their opinions on the matter, with some suggesting that Sebastian Duterte, the elected vice mayor and Duterte's son, may take over the post temporarily.

Key Takeaways:

• Former President Rodrigo Duterte won the Davao City mayoralty election by a landslide, securing 539,141 votes.
• The election raised questions on how he will manage the city from his detention cell in The Hague.
• Election lawyers have shared their opinions on the matter, with some suggesting that Sebastian Duterte, the elected vice mayor and Duterte's son, may take over the post temporarily.
• Romulo Macalintal, a lawyer, noted that Duterte's case is almost similar to the case of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was elected and proclaimed as a senator in 2007 while being detained for mutiny and rebellion charges.
• Former Comelec commissioner Luie Tito Guia stated that if Duterte had taken his oath but cannot assume office because he is detained abroad, then it may be said that there is a temporary vacancy for the position of Mayor.
• The temporary vacancy would be as long as there is still a chance that the incapacitated may become capacitated to assume office within the term for which he was elected.
• Vice President Sara Duterte disclosed that her father's lawyers were still discussing the mode of leadership he would adopt should he win the mayoral contest.

Statistics:

• 539,141: Number of votes secured by Rodrigo Duterte in the Davao City mayoralty election
• 65,090: Number of votes secured by Karlo Nograles, the next closest rival, in the same election
• 777,237: Total votes cast in the Davao City mayoralty election
• 1,173: Number of clustered precincts where the final canvassed tally showed Duterte with 662,630 votes
• 14,000: Number of contractual workers in Davao City

Sources:

• BusinessMirror
• Romulo Macalintal, lawyer, interview with BusinessMirror
• Luie Tito Guia, former Comelec commissioner, interview with BusinessMirror
• John Rex Laudiangco, Comelec spokesman, interview with reporters at the Manila Hotel Tent City
• Omnibus Election Code
• Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)