Rodrigo Duterte

Born in Maasin in 1945, Duterte moved to Davao as a child, studied political science and law, then worked as prosecutor before becoming mayor in 1986. Over 22 years and seven terms he transformed a crime-ridden city, openly stating he personally killed suspects and presiding over alleged Davao Death Squad operations that targeted drug users, petty criminals, and street children. That record became the foundation of his 2016 presidential run. At 71 he became the oldest president and the first from Mindanao, launching a drug war that drew international scrutiny, pursuing an infrastructure program and independent foreign policy, and maintaining high domestic approval throughout his six-year term. The ICC opened an investigation in 2018; Duterte withdrew the Philippines in response. On March 11, 2025, he was arrested and sent to The Hague, the first Philippine president to face an international tribunal. He won the Davao mayoral race from detention but was disqualified for failing to take the oath; his son now serves as acting mayor.