Rigo Duterte resumes post as vice mayor as Baste Duterte assumes as Davao City mayor
DAVAO CITY — Rodrigo "Rigo" S. Duterte II formally resumed his post as Vice Mayor of Davao City on Friday, January 23, 2026, following the assumption of Sebastian Z. Duterte as City Mayor under the law of succession.
The leadership transition was triggered by the inability of the duly elected mayor, former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to assume office, as he remains in detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Pursuant to the Local Government Code, the sitting vice mayor automatically assumes the mayoralty when the elected mayor is unable to discharge the functions of office.
With Sebastian Duterte’s assumption as city mayor, Rodrigo Duterte II was required to take his oath to formally resume and exercise the powers and functions of vice mayor, ensuring continuity in both the executive and legislative branches of the city government.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at Davao City Hall and was administered by Marie Estrellita S. Tolentino-Rojas, Deputy Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court.
With his oath, Vice Mayor Duterte officially resumed his role as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and as the city’s second-highest elected official.
“Nagapasalamat ko sa tanang Dabawenyo sa ilang padayon nga pagsuporta ug pagsalig sa among pamilya. Padayon mi sa pagserbisyo sa dakbayan, uban ang integridad ug responsibilidad,” the young vice mayor said.
Also present during the ceremony were VM Rigo's family along with Isidro Ungab, Mika Chan, and Martin Delgra.
City officials said the orderly transition ensures uninterrupted governance and adherence to established legal processes at City Hall.