Philippines election results 2025: Duterte wins mayorship from ICC detention

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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has won the mayoral race in Davao City during the country’s midterm elections, showing his lasting influence in his hometown—even while being held by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Despite being detained on charges of crimes against humanity for his deadly war on drugs, the 80-year-old Duterte was expected to win by a wide margin. With 80 per cent of votes counted, unofficial results showed him leading the race with eight times more votes than his closest rival, a CNN report said.

Duterte, known for his tough stance on crime and nicknamed “Duterte Harry” and “The Punisher,” remains popular in the southern city where he built his political career.

Supporters celebrated his victory online, flooding his old Facebook account with congratulations. Some even called for his return home.

“Congratulations, Tatay D! Let’s bring him home,” one comment read, using a term of endearment meaning “father.”

Duterte was arrested in March and taken to The Hague. He may become the first former Asian head of state to face trial at the ICC. His supporters have called the arrest a “kidnapping” by a foreign court.

Duterte has defended his controversial drug crackdown. His legal team argues the arrest was illegal, while the ICC says it still has authority over alleged crimes committed before the Philippines left the court in 2019.