# 2025 Davao City local elections

The 2025 Davao City local elections are scheduled for May 12, 2025, as part of the 2025 Philippine local elections. Registered voters in Davao City will elect candidates for local positions including Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Councilors across the city's three legislative districts. The elections are notable for featuring former President Rodrigo Duterte seeking to return as mayor of the city he previously led for over 22 years.

## Background
### Political Context

Davao City, the largest city in Mindanao and third most populous urban center in the Philippines, has been governed by members of the Duterte family for most of the past four decades. The city has served as the political base for the Duterte dynasty since 1988, when Rodrigo Duterte first became mayor.
The 2025 elections mark a significant political development as incumbent Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, declined to seek re-election, instead opting to run for Vice Mayor. This decision opened the door for his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to attempt a return to city hall after completing his presidential term (2016-2022).

### Electoral System

The elections follow the standard Philippine electoral system for local positions:
* The Mayor and Vice Mayor are elected citywide under a first-past-the-post system.
* City Councilors are elected by district, with each of Davao's three districts electing eight councilors.
* Two ex-officio members (representing the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and the Association of Barangay Captains) complete the 26-member City Council.
Voting is conducted using automated counting machines, following the implementation of the Automated Election System in the Philippines.

## Candidates
### Mayoral Race

The mayoral race features five candidates representing diverse political backgrounds:
| Candidate | Party | Background and Platform |
| Rodrigo Duterte | Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod | Former President of the Philippines (2016-2022) and former mayor of Davao City (1988-1998, 2001-2010, 2013-2016). Campaign focuses on continuing his family's legacy of strict law enforcement, anti-corruption measures, and infrastructure development. |
| Karlo Nograles | Independent | Former Cabinet Secretary under Presidents Duterte and Marcos, and former Representative of Davao City's 1st District (2010-2018). Campaign emphasizes economic revitalization, educational reforms, and balanced governance. |
| Rod Cubos | Independent | Businessman and political newcomer advocating for greater transparency in government, expanded social services, and support for small businesses. |
| Jonathan Julaine | Workers' and Peasants' Party | Labor rights advocate campaigning on platforms of workers' rights, affordable housing, and equitable development. |
| Joselito Tan | Independent | Community leader and former barangay captain running on a grassroots platform focused on neighborhood improvements and participatory governance. |

### Vice Mayoral Race

The vice mayoral contest features the incumbent mayor seeking the second-highest position in the city:
| Candidate | Party | Background and Platform |
| Sebastian "Baste" Duterte | Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod | Incumbent Mayor of Davao City (2022-2025) and son of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Campaign emphasizes continuity in governance and support for his father's potential mayoral administration. |
| Bernie Al-ag | Independent | Former city councilor advocating for legislative reforms and balanced development across districts. |
| Richard Alcebar | Independent | Businessman and civic leader focusing on economic development and youth empowerment. |
| Oyie Soriano-Barcena | Independent | Educator and youth advocate emphasizing educational investments and programs for young Davaoeños. |

### Congressional Races

Davao City is divided into three legislative districts, each electing one representative to the House of Representatives of the Philippines:
| District | Notable Candidates |
| 1st District | Incumbent Representative Paolo Duterte (HTL), son of Rodrigo Duterte |
| 2nd District | Omar Duterte (HTL), grandson of Rodrigo Duterte |
| 3rd District | Incumbent Representative Isidro Ungab (HTL) |

### City Council

The Davao City Council consists of 24 elected councilors (8 from each district) plus 2 ex-officio members. Major parties fielding candidates include:
* Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) - presenting a full slate of candidates across all districts
* Workers' and Peasants' Party - fielding candidates primarily in the 1st and 3rd districts
* Various independent candidates

## Pre-election Surveys
### University of Mindanao Survey

A pre-election survey conducted by the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) from January 8 to 28, 2025, showed strong voter preference for Duterte-affiliated candidates. The survey sampled 2,582 registered voters across Davao City's three districts, with a margin of error of ±2.5%.
Key findings:
| Position | Leading Candidate | Voter Preference |
| Mayor | Rodrigo Duterte | 60.0% |
| Vice Mayor | Sebastian "Baste" Duterte | 55.7% |
| 1st District Representative | Paolo Duterte | 54.8% |
| 2nd District Representative | Omar Duterte | 41.8% |
| 3rd District Representative | Isidro Ungab | 39.6% |
The survey also indicated that 15% of voters remained undecided in the mayoral race, suggesting room for shifts in voter preference before election day.

### Public Issues and Voter Concerns

According to various local surveys, the key issues identified by Davao voters include:
* Economic recovery post-pandemic
* Public safety and crime prevention
* Infrastructure development
* Environmental concerns, particularly flooding and waste management
* Housing affordability
* Public transportation improvements
** Campaign Developments

### Key Events

* December 2024: Filing of certificates of candidacy, with Rodrigo Duterte's announcement of his mayoral bid generating national attention
* January 2025: First major public debates hosted by local media organizations
* February 2025: Launch of major campaign initiatives by leading candidates
* March 2025: Campaign period officially begins
* May 2025: Election day scheduled for May 12

### Campaign Strategies

The Duterte campaign has emphasized the family's long record of governance in Davao City, with rallies frequently highlighting the city's transformation under their leadership. Campaign materials prominently feature the slogan "Balik sa Hugot" (Return to the Core), suggesting a return to the governance style that characterized Rodrigo Duterte's previous terms as mayor.
Independent candidates, including Karlo Nograles, have positioned themselves as offering both experience and fresh approaches. Nograles' campaign has emphasized his national government experience while promising to introduce governance innovations drawing from his cabinet work.
Grassroots candidates like Jonathan Julaine have focused on community organizing and door-to-door campaigning, highlighting local issues and advocating for greater representation of working-class concerns in city governance.

## Expected Results

The election results are anticipated to be announced within 24-48 hours after polls close, as mandated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Given the automated nature of Philippine elections, initial results are typically available on election night, with official canvassing completed within days.
Based on historical voting patterns and current polling, political analysts anticipate a competitive race, though with advantages for candidates from the long-dominant Duterte political family.