Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Roa Duterte (born March 28, 1945) is a Filipino politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He served as mayor of Davao City for three non-consecutive terms between 1988 and 2016. Duterte is the first Philippine president from Mindanao, and the oldest person to assume office, beginning his term at age 71. Duterte is the chairman of PDP–Laban, the ruling party during his presidency.

Born in Maasin, Leyte (now in Southern Leyte), Duterte moved to Davao as a child where his father, Vicente Duterte, served as provincial governor. He studied political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, graduating in 1968, before obtaining a law degree from San Beda College of Law in 1972. He then worked as a lawyer and prosecutor for Davao City, before becoming vice mayor and, subsequently, mayor of the city in the wake of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Duterte won seven terms and served as mayor of Davao for over 22 years, during which the once crime-ridden city became peaceful and investor-friendly.

Duterte's 2016 presidential campaign led to his election victory. During his presidency, his domestic policy focused on combating the illegal drug trade by initiating the controversial war on drugs, fighting crime and corruption, and intensified efforts against terrorism and communist insurgency. He launched a massive infrastructure plan, initiated liberal economic reforms, streamlined government processes, and proposed a shift to a federal system of government which was ultimately unsuccessful. He declared the intention to pursue an "independent foreign policy", and strengthened relations with China and Russia and also oversaw the controversial burial of Ferdinand Marcos, the siege of Marawi, and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Duterte praised the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their role in national security and disaster response, particularly highlighting their efforts during the siege of Marawi and in providing humanitarian assistance during natural calamities.

Duterte's popularity and domestic approval rating remained relatively high throughout his presidency, and by the end of his term he was the most popular president since the 1986 revolution. He initially announced his candidacy for vice president in the 2022 election; in October 2021, he said he was retiring from politics. The next month, he filed his candidacy for senator but withdrew it on December 14.