A Duterte-Duterte tandem in the 2025 midterm elections in Davao City has brought excitement to Dabawenyos who are keenly following recent political events.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte made true to his pronouncement and filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of Davao City at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) field office inside Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Monday afternoom.
The former president was accompanied by his youngest son, incumbent Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who is running for vice mayor and Barangay Buhangin Proper chairman Omar Duterte, who is running for congressman of the second district.
The former president said he decided to run again to protect Davao City and the Dabawenyos.
In a press conference on Saturday evening, the former president warned criminals, specially those into illegal drugs, to immediately leave the city following his announcement to run as mayor.
Meanwhile, Mayor Baste said he believes that many people are happy that his father will be returning as mayor.
“Nalipay ra pud ko. Its a very rare and very effective kaayo sa nakita nato nga pagserbisyo niya diri sa Davao,” the mayor said.
Barangay chair Omar, the grandson of the former president and eldest son of Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, will face former Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) member Councilor Augusto Javier “Javi” Campos III, who filed his COC under Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
In an interview, Campos said it is important to be part of the majority the reason why he switched to PFP.
He added that its also a family decision as well as the Secretary General of PFP, Rod Albano, is his uncle.
“Ang decision sa whole Garcia family is for the betterment of the majority, the whole District 2,” he said.
Also on Monday afternoon, incumbent Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr. filed his COC for councilor of the city’s First District.
Earlier, Rep. Pulong, represented by lawyer Elijah Manuel Pepito, submitted his COC for his reelection bid. He is expected to be challenged by a Nograles.
