ACTING Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo S. Duterte II. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)
DAVAO CITY – Acting Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo S. Duterte II confirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 9, that he and acting Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte are still awaiting a definitive statement from the Department of the Interior and Local Government regarding their positions in the city government.
During the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media gathering, Vice Mayor Duterte told reporters that the DILG has yet to formally communicate any decision, adding that they continue to wait for official guidance from the agency.
The acting vice mayor noted that he and Mayor Duterte are relying on the DILG for confirmation of their assignments, which the DILG had earlier stated remains unresolved as it awaits further instructions from its central office in Quezon City.
According to DILG-11 Assistant Regional Director Charissa Guerta, the national office has requested clarification from the Commission on Elections and is awaiting a response before issuing any formal announcement.
The uncertainty stems from a June 30 directive issued by the DILG instructing Mayor Duterte to assume the functions of city mayor pursuant to Section 46(a) of the Local Government Code.
According to the DILG, the directive was issued to ensure continuity in local governance following the temporary inability of former President Rodrigo Duterte to assume office.
Under the succession provision, the DILG designated Councilor Duterte, who topped the 2025 local elections with 119,324 votes, as acting vice mayor.
Former President Duterte remains in The Hague, Netherlands, after the International Criminal Court
denied his appeal for interim release.