Rodrigo Roa Duterte[N 1] (born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong and Rody,[7] is a Filipino politician who is the current president of the Philippines and the first from Mindanao to hold the office.[8][9][10][11] He is the chairperson of PDP–Laban, the ruling political party in the Philippines. Duterte took office at age 71 on June 30, 2016, making him the oldest person to assume the Philippine presidency; the record was previously held by Sergio Osmeña at the age of 65.[12]
Rodrigo Duterte Rodrigo Duterte June 2016.jpg Duterte in 2017 16th President of the Philippines Incumbent Assumed office June 30, 2016 Vice President Leni Robredo Preceded by Benigno Aquino III Mayor of Davao City In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016 Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte Preceded by Sara Duterte Succeeded by Sara Duterte In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010 Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan Sara Duterte Preceded by Benjamin de Guzman Succeeded by Sara Duterte In office February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1998 Vice Mayor Dominador Zuño (acting) Luis Bonguyan Benjamin de Guzman Preceded by Jacinto Rubillar Succeeded by Benjamin de Guzman Vice Mayor of Davao City In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013 Mayor Sara Duterte Preceded by Sara Duterte Succeeded by Paolo Duterte In office May 2, 1986 – November 27, 1987 Officer in Charge Mayor Zafiro Respicio Preceded by Cornelio Maskariño Succeeded by Gilbert Abellera Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Davao City's 1st district In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001 Preceded by Prospero Nograles Succeeded by Prospero Nograles Personal details Born Rodrigo Roa Duterte March 28, 1945 (age 75) Maasin, Commonwealth of the Philippines Political party PDP–Laban (2001–2009, 2015–present)[a][1][2] Other political affiliations Kabataang Makabayan[3] (1970s) Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (1998–2001) Liberal Party (2009–2015)[1][2] Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (local party; 2011–present) Coalition for Change (2016–present) Spouse(s) Elizabeth Zimmerman (m. 1973; annulled 2000) Domestic partner Honeylet Avanceña Children Paolo Sara Sebastian Veronica Parents Vicente Duterte Soledad Roa Residence Malacañang Palace[4][5][6] Education Lyceum of the Philippines University (B.A.) San Beda College (LL.B.) Signature
Website president.gov.ph Five-Star General Commander-in-Chief Armed Forces of the Philippines
Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte in full Battle Dress Uniform with his partner, Honeylet Avanceña Born in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Duterte 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 was a prosecutor for Davao City, before becoming vice mayor and, subsequently, mayor of the city in the wake of the Philippine Revolution of 1986. Duterte won seven terms and served as mayor of Davao for over 22 years.
Frequently described as a populist[13][14][15] and a nationalist,[16][17][18] Duterte's political success has been aided by his vocal support for the extrajudicial killing of drug users and other criminals.[19] Duterte's political career has also received scrutiny. Various human rights groups documented over 1,400 killings allegedly by death squads operating in Davao between 1998 and 2016; the victims were mainly drug users, petty criminals, and street children.[20] A 2009 report by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights confirmed the "systematic practice of extrajudicial killings" by the Davao Death Squad.[21][22] The Office of the Ombudsman closed an investigation in January 2016 stating that citing no evidence,[21][22] but the case has since been reopened[23] and reports of Duterte repeatedly confirmed that he personally killed criminal suspects as during his term as mayor of Davao surfaced.[24][25][26]
His domestic policy has focused on combating the illegal drug trade by initiating the controversial War on Drugs, fighting crime and corruption,[27][28][29] and launching a massive infrastructure plan.[30][31] He has declared his intention to pursue an "independent foreign policy",[32] and sought to distance the Philippines from the United States and European Union and pursue closer ties with China and Russia.