Comelec Speaks on Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte who’s Now Detained in the Hague
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The former Philippine President may still be proclaimed mayor of Davao City if he wins the upcoming elections according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Countless Filipinos did not expect the turn of events a week ago. Upon his arrival from Hong Kong, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested by the authorities of the Philippine National Police. According to the Presidential Communications Officer (PCO), the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest against the former President.
The ICC is investigating the war on drugs of the previous administration for several years now. In 2019, Duterte withdrew the membership of the Philippines to the Rome Statute as the probe of the ICC on his administration’s campaign did not sit well with him.
During his appearance at the House Quad Committee hearing, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte told the ICC to hurry up in coming to the Philippines to investigate him. According to him, he is not impressed by the capacity of the international court as it has allegedly not imprisoned anyone.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is running for Davao City Mayor with Baste Duterte, his youngest son, as his running-mate. Baste is currently the mayor of Davao City that was led by the former President for several years before he got the presidency.
On the same day of his arrest, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was flown to Dubai en route for the Netherlands. He has his first appearance before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC last Friday.
Recently, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) spoke on the status of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s mayoral bid as well as the possibilities in the near future. He remains a candidate for mayor despite his detention in the Hague, Netherlands now.
Based on a report on GMA News, speaking to Super Radyo dzBB, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the name of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte remains in the election ballots not only in the Philippines but as well as abroad as long as there is no conviction. According to him, he may also be proclaimed mayor if there is conviction of a crime committed.
“Hangga’t walang final conviction doon sa kanyang kaso, maaring dito sa loob ng bansa o sa labas, ang pangalan niya ay nasa balota, ang pangalan niya maiboboto kung sakaling walang development mula ngayong hanggang araw ng election at kung manalo, siya’y mapoproklama,” Garcia said.
Based on the report, the Comelec Chairperson also said that winning candidates can be proclaimed even they are not physically present at the proclamation ceremony. In the case of Duterte, if he wins the election for Davao City and was proclaimed, it will be up to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to create a temporary or permanent vacancy in the position.
Recently, at an event in Davao, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte expressed a message for Pres. Bongbong Marcos following his father’s arrest. It included his hope that Marcos Jr. will be able to finish his term as the president of the country.