Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II took their oaths of office at Davao City Hall on Friday, officially assuming their posts in accordance with the law of succession.
The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 11 Deputy Executive Judge Marie Estrellita Tolentino-Rojas and was witnessed by key local and national officials, including Congressman Isidro Ungab, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Davao City Director Mika Chan, and lawyer Martin Delgra.
Following the ceremony, the newly sworn-in city officials immediately assumed their duties, ensuring continuity in the city’s leadership and governance.
The transition in leadership followed a formal directive from the DILG, issued through Secretary Jonvic Remulla, instructing then Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte to assume the role of acting Mayor due to the temporary legal incapacity of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD), who was proclaimed mayor-elect in absentia.
The directive is grounded in Section 46(a) of the Local Government Code, which provides that in cases of temporary physical or legal incapacity, the vice mayor shall automatically perform the duties and exercise the powers of the mayor.
The situation arose from the inability of the duly elected mayor, former President Duterte, to assume office as he remains in detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
In line with the same legal provisions, Sebastian Duterte’s assumption of the mayoralty necessitated the oath-taking of Rodrigo Duterte II, enabling him to formally resume and exercise the powers and functions of vice mayor.
This ensured continuity in both the executive and legislative branches of the city government.
With his oath, Rigo officially resumed his role as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and as the city’s second-highest elected official.
“Nagapasalamat ko sa tanang Dabawenyo sa ilang padayon nga pagsuporta ug pagsalig sa among pamilya. Padayon mi sa pagserbisyo sa dakbayan, uban ang integridad ug responsibilidad,” he said.
City officials and guests expressed confidence in the orderly transition, emphasizing the importance of stability and strict adherence to legal processes in local government.
