Manila, Philippines — Amid the arrest and detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte under the International Criminal Court’s warrant, the Commission on Elections says that the situation has no direct effect yet on the former leader’s present candidacy.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco explained that despite Duterte’s international case, he will remain as a candidate for the mayoral position in Davao City in the Philippines.
He cited the Omnibus Election Code, which states that an individual will remain as a candidate despite a pending case as long as there is still no conviction.
Thus, while his ICC case is still pending, Duterte cannot be penalized with disqualification/perpetual disqualification unless he is convicted with finality.
“Wala naman pong conviction with finality which carried with it the accessory penalty of disqualification/perpetual disqualification under Philippine Laws po by Philippine Courts or equivalent to such recognized by Philippine Judiciary,” Laudiangco said.
Hence, Duterte’s name will still appear in the 2025 National and Local Elections ballots.