Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte and Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II. ARCHIVE

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, grandson of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, is calling on Davao residents to unite behind his family, particularly Vice President Sara Duterte’s potential bid for the presidency in 2028. Speaking during a public address on Friday (April 4), Rigo Duterte – son of Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte – urged residents to support his grandfather and aunt amid recent controversies. “We must unite for my grandfather, Mayor Rody Duterte, to return as mayor. We also stand together for Vice President Sara Duterte to become the next president of the Philippines in 2028,” said the younger Duterte. Sara Duterte has yet to officially confirm her presidential plans, but she previously said on February 7 that she was seriously considering it—just days after the House of Representatives began moves to impeach her. The Duterte-backed political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), has also called on the public to support Sara’s allies in the 2025 senatorial race. The party said this was crucial because the winning senators would sit as judges during the vice president’s impeachment trial. Meanwhile, Rigo Duterte defended his father’s recent travels abroad, following criticism that Paolo Duterte had abandoned his duties. “My father, Congressman Pulong, had to be there. His father, who is my grandfather, was brought to jail without an arrest warrant. Of course, as a son, he had to go,” Rigo said in the local dialect. He also addressed rumors that his father’s district office had been shut down. “People are accusing that the first district office has been closed… But look at what my father has done—conducting medical missions, aiding those in need, responding to fire victims. Are these not real?” The House of Representatives had granted congressman Duterte travel authority to 16 countries, including the United States, China, Japan, and several European nations. This was his second such authorization. The family remains in the political spotlight following the dramatic arrest of former president Duterte on March 11. Duterte was intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 and flown on a chartered flight to The Hague, where he is now in ICC custody. He faces charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s bloody war on drugs. CAM/Expat Media
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