In brief
In a stunning contradiction, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has garnered a wave of support from his base despite his current detention and facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
As he celebrated his 80th birthday on March 28, an outpouring of flowers, birthday cards, and demonstrations from supporters flooded his hometown of Davao City, showcasing his ongoing popularity. Duterte's notorious anti-drug campaign during his presidency resulted in thousands of deaths, yet he continues to resonate with many Filipinos, as evidenced by the upcoming midterm elections where he is likely to reclaim the mayoral position of Davao City once again. This supportive landscape is juxtaposed against a highly divided public opinion following his recent arrest and extradition to The Hague. While a significant portion of the population supports the ICC investigation into Duterte's human rights record, others view his prosecution as a political maneuver orchestrated by the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is suffering in the approval ratings since the incident. In contrast, Sara Duterte, the vice president and Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, has seen her popularity rise, indicating a complex political shift within the nation. The Philippines appears at a crossroads, where sentiments of loyalty and political allegiance collide with calls for justice, reflecting a society grappling with its past and future.
