![“This [flood control scheme] is a corruption on a scale that we have not seen in the past,” says Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon. “The Napoles scandal is like petty change compared to this.”](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ombudsman_copy_resized-218x150.jpg "FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL: Ombudsman cases filed vs DPWH staff, contractors")
MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is in talks with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow former President Rodrigo Duterte to take oath as Davao City mayor.
According to Secretary Jonvic Remulla, they recognize that Duterte is the duly elected Davao City mayor in the May 2025 midterm polls and has communicated with the ICC to allow him to take oath while he is in detention in The Hague in the Netherlands.
“Siya ang dineklara ng Comelec na mayor. Na-proclaim siya the day after elections. Overwhelming mandate. So we recognize him as the mayor,” Remulla said in an interview on Monday.
“Ang gagawin ko na lang magpapaalam ako sa ICC kung puwede pumunta ang consul natin para makapag-oath siya kasi kailangan mag-oath siya to assume office,” he added.
Due to the former Chief Executive’s physical absence, Remulla said the elected vice mayor, ex-president’s son Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, will take over in leading the city.
“In his absence, the vice mayor will be there…Kailangan physically present. So in his incapacity na hindi niya kayang magsilbi, ang vice mayor muna ang uupo doon,” Remulla said.
Former president Duterte was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 based on a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC due to alleged crimes against humanity.
Despite his detention, Duterte still won more than 662,000 votes over his rival Karlo Nograles’ 80,000 in Davao City mayoralty race./PN
