Mayoral bid by Philippines’ Duterte signals dominance of political dynasties

Besides the Duterte and Marcos families, the Nograles, Cayetano, Estrada, Villar and Tulfo clans are also contesting in the 2025 elections

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Philippine Vice-President-Sara Duterte greets her father during her inauguration ceremony in 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:02am, 11 Oct 2024

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s surprise decision to run for Davao City mayor is reigniting tensions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, setting the stage for what observers see as a proxy war between two of the country’s most powerful political dynasties.

“Of course, it’s a proxy fight,” said Ronald Llamas, chairman of Galahad Consulting Agency and former presidential adviser for political affairs of the late president Benigno Aquino III, adding he expected Marcos Jnr to “pour money” to support the candidacy of Karlo Nograles, Duterte’s rival in the mayoral race.

Duterte had been expected to register as a senate candidate during this week’s registration period for next year’s midterm elections. He has been posting strong numbers in pre-senatorial election surveys ahead of his decision to run for a post that he held for over 20 years before winning the presidency in 2016.

The midterms will mark the first significant test of political strength between the Duterte and Marcos dynasties since Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Duterte’s daughter, resigned from Marcos’ cabinet in June, signalling a split between the two families that had previously partnered to win the 2022 election.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and former president Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Reuters

Nograles, a 48-year-old politician and scion of another influential family in Davao City, resigned as chairman of the Civil Service Commission on Monday before filing his candidacy for mayor on Tuesday.