In brief
Davao City supports Duterte’s popular legacy as midterm elections loom, revealing a divided public reaction to his arrest.
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has recently made headlines for his arrest and extradition to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity. Celebrating his 80th birthday while detained, Duterte remains a polarizing figure with a strong base of support in his home country. The International Criminal Court's detention center received a large influx of birthday cards and flowers from loyalists, illustrating the extent of Duterte’s continued popularity despite the serious allegations against him. According to his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, the court struggled to handle the volume of mail, with some sacks being delivered to Duterte who awaits trial. The political climate in the Philippines has become increasingly divided following Duterte's arrest. Many Filipinos support the international inquiry into his presidency, characterized by a violent drug war that left thousands dead. However, Duterte’s supporters argue he is being unfairly targeted, suggesting that current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., once an ally, is exploiting the situation.Recent polling indicates President Marcos’s approval rating has significantly dropped following Duterte's arrest—from 42% to 25%, while the popularity of Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter and current vice president, has seen an uptick from 52% to 59%. As the Philippines approaches midterm elections, Duterte's influence in Davao City remains strong, with many expecting him to secure another term as mayor despite his legal troubles.
