The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has won a mayoral election despite being detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity.
He won the vote in his home city of Davao by a massive majority, official results showed on Tuesday. His youngest son, Sebastian, was declared vice mayor.
Duterte, 80, has been detained by the ICC over his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during his war on drugs. He denies any wrongdoing.
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His family secured a stronger-than-expected showing in Monday’s midterm elections. His eldest son, Paolo, was reelected as a member of the House of Representatives, and two grandsons won in local races – an indication of the family’s continued influence.
Results of the Senate race will be known in a week, but some projections put at least five candidates – backed by the Duterte family – among those leading the race for 12 Senate positions.
Pre-election surveys had indicated only two of them would emerge victorious.
The results are also a boost for Duterte’s daughter, vice president Sara Duterte, ahead of an impeachment trial in July over a number of charges, including alleged misuse of public funds and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife and the House speaker.
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In a statement, Marcos – whose approval rating fell in April – thanked Filipinos who voted, saying “our democracy has renewed itself – peacefully, orderly and with dignity”.
“We may not have won every seat, but our work and mission continue,” he added.
The impeachment and Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the tribunal in The Hague has triggered protests from his supporters and counter-demonstrations from his critics who are demanding justice.
Nicknamed “the Punisher” and “Dirty Harry”, Duterte served as Davao’s mayor for two decades before becoming president.
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Duterte has been in the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, since March, awaiting trial for crimes against humanity over a brutal war on illegal drugs that left thousands of suspects dead during his 2016-2022 presidency.
Under Philippine law, candidates facing criminal charges, including those in detention, can run for office unless they have been convicted and have exhausted all appeals.
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Sara Duterte told reporters she was in talks with her father’s lawyers on how he could take his oath as mayor despite being behind bars.
She said the vice mayor would likely be the acting mayor.
