Secretary of DILG Speaks on Case of Duterte after Winning as Davao Mayor
DILG – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has to be physically present in office to perform as Davao mayor.
The controversial arrest of former Pres. Duterte caused political turmoil in the Philippine government. Countless Filipinos, mos especially Duterte supporters, called on the government to bring the former President back home.
Duterte was arrested by the Philippine authorities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last March 11. On the same day that he was arrested, the former President was detained for several hours at Villamor Air Base and was flown to The Hague, Netherlands before the end of the day.
Despite his detention in The Hague under the custody of the International Criminal Court, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte won mayor in Davao City. He had a landslide win and his running mate, his youngest son outgoing Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, also emerged victoriously in the vice mayoralty race.
Previously, the Duterte camp confirmed the discussion on the oath-taking options for former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He is currently detained in the ICC facility in The Hague awaiting the confirmation of charges scheduled on September 23.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) previously said that Duterte may be proclaimed as Davao mayor despite his detention. Recently, the DILG spoke on the case of the former President who won the mayoralty race in Davao City.
Based on a report on Inquirer, DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla said former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte must be physically present in an office to perform his duties as mayor of Davao. This is contrary to the public expectation that Duterte can do “Work from Hague”.
According to the DILG Secretary, if former Pres. Duterte cannot be in his office physically to perform his duties, his son, the elected vice mayor, will have to take over. Based on the report the Local Government Code states that the vice mayor will have to exercise the powers of the mayor and fulfill his/her duties if the post is temporarily vacant due to physical and legal reasons.
“We recognize the victory of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He was proclaimed by the Comelec (Commission on Elections) a day after the elections [with an] overwhelming mandate, so we recognize him as the mayor [of Davao City],” the Interior Secretary expressed.
DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla further said that he can permission from the ICC if the Philippine consul can go to former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte so he can take his oath. He cannot assume office without an oath-taking.
On his case before the ICC, British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the lawyer of Duterte, previously accused Pres. Bongbong Marcos as the alleged “real prosecutor” of the former President.