INTERIOR Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla has ordered Davao City vice mayor Sebastian Duterte to assume as the city’s acting mayor, after his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, failed to take his oath as winner of the May 2025 mayoral race.
The 80-year-old Duterte was unable to take his oath as he is detained in the Netherlands, where he is waiting for the trial of the crimes against humanity case filed against him before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Remulla made the order in a June 30 letter to the younger Duterte, who is a son of the former chief executive.
“You are hereby enjoined to perform the duties and functions of mayor of Davao City to prevent paralysis of government operations,” Remulla said.
Remulla’s order was anchored on Section 46 (a) of the Local Government Code which states that in case of a mayor’s temporary incapacity, whether physical or legal, the vice mayor shall automatically perform the duties and responsibilities of the mayor.
In a statement, the DILG said the move was meant to ensure “uninterrupted service delivery and local governance in one of the country’s key cities.”
In accordance with the succession framework, the DILG also designated the first ranked Sangguniang Panlungsod member, Rodrigo Duterte II, a grandson of the former president, as the acting vice mayor.
“This is pursuant to Administrative Order No. 15, series of 2018, which lays down rules on the temporary filling of vacancies in local elective offices,” the DILG said in the statement.
It said these actions were “legal and necessary to ensure continuity of leadership in Davao City amid ongoing legal proceedings involving the former president before the International Criminal Court.”
