Sebastian Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte II take oath as Davao City officials

Sebastian “Baste” Duterte formally assumed his role as Acting Mayor of Davao City on Friday afternoon, January 23, alongside Rodrigo Duterte II, who took his oath as vice mayor during a ceremony at Davao City Hall.

The oath-taking was administered by Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Deputy Executive Judge Marie Estrellita S. Tolentino-Rojas. Family members, close friends, and local officials witnessed the ceremony, including Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab, Department of the Interior and Local Government–Davao City Director Mika Chan, and lawyer Martin Delgra.

The change in leadership follows the continued absence of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who won the mayoral race in the May elections but remains detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Under the city’s rules on succession, Sebastian Duterte assumed the post of acting mayor, while Rodrigo Duterte II stepped into the vice mayoral role.

Vice Mayor Duterte said his father has been fully informed of the developments, noting that the oath-taking was discussed during his visit to The Hague last year.

As he begins his term, the younger Duterte said his immediate focus will be on concerns repeatedly raised by residents, particularly health services and education. He added that his years assisting his brother, Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte, helped shape his understanding of grassroots governance and public service.

Meanwhile, city officials said discussions are still ongoing regarding the vacancy left by Rodrigo Duterte II in the Davao City Council, with no final decision reached as of Friday.

With the Dutertes once again at the helm of the city’s leadership, attention now turns to how the new acting administration will navigate governance amid the legal and political uncertainties surrounding the family’s patriarch.