Baste Duterte to serve as Davao’s acting mayor, DILG affirms
Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte — File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte will be acting mayor in the absence of his father, former President and elected Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) affirmed.
In a statement on Tuesday, a day after the officials elected in last May’s polls formally took office, the DILG cited Section 46(a) of the Local Government Code.
The provision states that if the mayor is “temporarily incapacitated to perform his duties for physical or legal reasons,” the vice-mayor “shall automatically exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the local chief executive concerned.”
Further, according to the DILG, Secretary Jonvic Remulla wrote to Vice Mayor Duterte on Monday, saying: “You are hereby enjoined to perform the duties and functions of Mayor of Davao City to prevent paralysis of government operations.”
READ: EXPLAINER: Can jailed Duterte be Davao City mayor? Here’s what DILG says
Consequently, the former president’s grandson – Rodrigo II – will be acting vice mayor as stipulated by Administrative Order No. 15 series of 2018, the DILG noted.
This was because Rodrigo Duterte II ranked first in the Sangguniang Panlungsod election in the Davao City 1st district, the department explained.
“The DILG underscores that the action is both legal and necessary to ensure continuity of leadership in Davao City amid ongoing legal proceedings involving the former President before the International Criminal Court (ICC),” it added.
Former President Duterte was arrested and turned over to the ICC in the Hague, the Netherlands last March to face allegations of crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody war on drugs.
Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign killed around 12,000 to 30,000 people.
Despite being locked away in the Hague, Duterte won his campaign to be elected Davao City mayor again in a landslide last May.
Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing with the ICC is set for September 23. /das
