THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Davao City has clarified that the rule of succession under the Local Government Code will be implemented during mayor-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s absence.
Vicky Sarcena, director of DILG-Davao, said that following the proclamation, the winners of the 2025 elections are scheduled to take their oaths and assume office on June 30.
The official added that due to the physical requirement of the oath-taking and the continued detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC), vice mayor-elect Sebastian “Baste” Duterte will temporarily assume the role of acting mayor.
“Si mayor Rody na proclaim na sila last Tuesday, together with the other elected officials. So, from June 30, 12 noon, maka assume na sila. Pero dili sila maka assume kung dili sila maka take oath,” Salcena said in an interview with GMA Super Radyo Davao.
“Dili mangud mag oath online or Zoom, so kailangan personal. So, ang magiging acting mayor nato is the vice mayor, which is Mayor Baste, tapos sa Sangguniang Panglungsod ang mag acting vice mayor it is the highest ranking city councilor,” she explained.
Currently, Sarcena is clarifying the duration of the acting mayor and acting vice mayor’s term, especially considering that the next hearing for former President Duterte at the ICC is scheduled for September of this year.
On Thursday, Senate President Chiz Escudero clarified in a press briefing that former President Rodrigo Duterte can take his oath of office as Davao City mayor through a consular visit at The Hague, even if he remains in detention.
“Our consular officials can visit him if he permits and requests it. This would allow him to take his oath of office as mayor before them,” Escudero stated.
However, Escudero also noted that if Duterte cannot return to the Philippines due to his detention in The Hague or other circumstances beyond his control, the Local Government Code dictates that the vice mayor can take over.
“Ang consular visit ay pwede lamang kapag hiniling nung nasasakdal o akusado, Hindi sya pwedeng pwersahang puntahan kung saan sya naka detained at kung ayaw niya, karapatan niya yun ayon sa rules ng The Hague, so may proseso naman yun (Consular visits are only permissible upon the request of the defendant or accused. He cannot be forcibly visited if he doesn’t want to; that is his right according to the rules of The Hague. There is a process for that,” he added.
“The acting vice mayor will be the top-ranking kagawad (councilor) by ratio and proportion from Davao’s districts. This means we will examine each district to determine who has the highest ratio and proportion of votes, not automatically the one with the most votes. We will review the vote ratios and proportions for the top councilors from Districts 1, 2, and 3, and the one with the highest ratio will assume the acting Vice Mayor position, as stipulated in our Local Government Code,” he clarified.
