DAVAO CITY — Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte has publicly urged Filipinos to carefully consider their choice for the nation’s next president, invoking the leadership example of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.

In an interview on March 4, 2026, in The Hague, Mayor Duterte emphasized that voters should evaluate presidential candidates based on the qualities they admired in his father’s governance. “If you choose another leader for the Philippines, then piliin niyo ’yung tao na kung saan niyo nakikita ’yung nakita niyo sa tatay ko,” he said, urging citizens to reflect on the style, decisiveness, and priorities demonstrated during Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure.

The statement comes amid heightened political discourse surrounding the upcoming national elections, as well as ongoing scrutiny of former President Duterte’s international legal standing. By invoking his father’s legacy, Baste Duterte is highlighting the enduring influence of political dynasties and leadership models on voter decision-making.

While supporters may interpret his words as a call for continuity in governance, critics might see it as an attempt to leverage familial influence in shaping electoral outcomes. This raises broader questions about democratic choice: Should leadership succession be informed by past examples, or should voters prioritize new perspectives, innovations, and reforms? As the country prepares for the next presidential race, one question remains for the electorate: Is it wise to choose leaders based on the model of a predecessor, or does true progress require evaluating candidates on their own merits? (Larawan mula sa: Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, Rody Duterte / Facebook)