Former President Rodrigo Duterte was “very happy” upon learning the results of this year’s midterm elections, in which he and his family secured overwhelming victories in Davao City.
This was revealed by Bong Duterte, youngest brother of the former chief executive, who is now in The Hague.
Bong also met with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Filipino supporters.
“He is doing well. Medyo malungkot lang because he cannot… ‘yung sa outside world talaga kung ano nangyayari (what’s going on in the outside world). So, I have to brief him about the elections, the outcome ng elections, both the local and national,” the younger Duterte said in an exchange with Roque and his brother’s supporters in The Hague.
“And he is very happy. I told him you got an overwhelming vote as mayor of Davao. So, masayang-masayang siya,” he added.
The former president received 659,557 votes against his opponent, former Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles, who got 80,426 votes.
Bong also informed his brother that the rest of the Duterte kin, including Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Omar Duterte, and others, all won their respective seats.
The former president was also happy with the outcome of the national polls, with three of his “DuterTen” bets — Senators Bong Go and Ronald Dela Rosa and SAGIP Partylist Rep. and incoming Senator Rodante Marcoleta — winning with Vice President Duterte’s personal choices — Senator Imee Marcos and and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar.
Bong told Duterte that some senators have already switched their support.
“Kaya ang masasabi ko, overall, do not worry because I think ang support din nila kay VP Sara,” he said.
Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands on charges of crimes against humanity of murder in relation to his brutal war on drugs that, according to government records, killed over 6,000 Filipinos. Human rights groups argue that the number could go up to 30,000.
He will face the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I for the confirmation of charges on Sept. 23. (Raymund Antonio)
