Two major political camps in Davao City have started wooing voters as local candidates launched their campaign sorties on Friday, March 28, 2025.

The Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party (HTLP), the local group of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his son, incumbent Mayor Sebastian Duterte, held its first campaign rally in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño for the city’s first district.

The former president is running for mayor with Baste as his running mate.

Baste campaigned on behalf of his father who is detained in The Hague, Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity in relation to his controversial war on drugs.

The former president will remain a candidate for Davao City mayor despite being arrested for crimes against humanity, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“He is still a candidate,” Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. said.

“The only way you stop being a candidate is if you withdraw. Considering you are convicted, unless it is a conviction by final judgment, you’re still in the roll as a candidate,” he added.

He also campaigned for his brother, Paolo, who is seeking reelection as congressman in the city’s First District as the latter is reportedly working on something for their father.

Candidates for city councilor under HTLP, TJ Braga Corsino, Rigo Duterte, Ragde Ibuyan, Luna Acosta, Jay Melchor Quitain Jr., Bonz Militar, Cookie Bonguyan, Tek Ocampo, and Pamela Librado, also laid down their platforms.

On the other hand, Duterte’s rival for the mayoral seat, Karlo Nograles, kicked off his campaign with running mate Bernie Al-ag in Barangay 22-C.

Paolo’s opponent for the congressional seat, Migs Nograles, also laid down her plans.

City Council hopefuls under Team Nograles Small Abellera, Cherry Al-ag, and Eking Liparanon, also introduced themselves and outlined their programs.

Meanwhile, several automated counting machines (ACM) and other election paraphernalia that will be used in the 2025 national and local elections have arrived in Davao City.

Commission on Elections-Davao (COMELEC-11) Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Gay Enumerables, said the ACMs and other election paraphernalia will be distributed to the different areas in the region.

COMELEC-11 added that the training for teachers who will served as members of the electoral board continues, as of this writing.

(With reports from GMA News Online)