Duterte can be proclaimed Davao mayor while in ICC detention — Comelec

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, March 13, said former President Rodrigo Duterte can still be proclaimed Davao City mayor even while in detention at The Hague should he win in the 2025 midterm polls.

“He will be proclaimed,” Comelec Chair George Garcia said in a message to reporters.

According to Comelec, Duterte’s name will remain in the ballots as he is still considered a local candidate unless he withdraws.

Garcia previously said Comelec will address petitions filed against the ex-president’s candidacy but clarified that a candidate facing accusations can still run and win an election as long as there is no final judgement on their case.

Duterte filed his certificate of candidacy to run for mayor of Davao City in October last year, running against former Civil Service Commission Chairperson Karlo Nograles.

Duterte was taken into the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) custody at The Hague, Netherlands early Thursday morning (PH time). He is detained in a facility along the Dutch coast.

He was arrested in Manila on Wednesday for ICC’s alleged charges on crimes against humanity enforced during his administration’s war on drugs.