'Bring Him Home': Clamour Grows As Duterte Wins Philippines Mayoral Election From ICC Jail

Doha, Qatar: Calls to“bring Duterte home” are growing louder after former President Rodrigo Duterte won the mayoral race in Davao, Philippines by a landslide despite being jailed thousands of kilometers away in The Hague, where he is facing trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Supporters and allies are pressing for his return to Manila, arguing that the will of over 662,000 voters must be respected. Duterte, 80, easily defeated his closest rival former Cabinet member Karlo Nograles who got just 80,000 votes.

But can he govern from a jail cell? The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed Duterte's eligibility to run, pointing out that Philippine law only bars candidates with final convictions. But with his trial on crimes against humanity set for September, how or if Duterte can govern from jail remains unclear.

File: Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte attends ICC hearing over drug war via videolink. (Photo by AFP)

Some propose a“work-from-Hague” arrangement, while others are pushing for diplomatic or legal avenues to secure his temporary release or transfer.

Meanwhile, the Duterte political dynasty remains firmly in place as sons Sebastian and Paolo won as vice mayor and congressman, respectively, with grandson Omar and great-nephew Rigo also winning local seats.

Duterte, who previously served as Davao mayor for over two decades before his presidency, now returns, at least on paper, to the post that launched his rise to national power.

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