Former president Rodrigo Duterte returns to politics and will run for mayor of Davao City in midterm polls next year. He stated that he intended to make Davao "better than yesterday" and that his running mate will be his son, Sebastian Duterte, the current mayor of Davao.
Omar Duterte, the son of Paolo Duterte, who will run for re-election as the first district representative of Davao City, will also run for the second district.
Facing a familiar name
Karlo Alexie Nograles, the former chair of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), also filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor, enabling a high-profile clash with the former president.
Nograles gave an explanation for his choice to return to local politics after resigning from his position on the CSC with five years remaining in his term.
“I realized there are more important things than holding a position and its benefits. For me, it’s Davao City," Nograles said.
Councilor Bernie Al-ag will run with Nograles, who served as the lawmaker for Davao 1st District from 2010 until 2019.
Strong public support
Meanwhile, strong public support was the former president Duterte’s justification for running for mayor again.
"The people want me to run, so I will. I can still do the job," Duterte said
During Duterte's administration, Nograles held the positions of acting presidential spokesperson and cabinet secretary.
