DAVAO CITY — Davaoeños delivered a sweeping victory for the Duterte dynasty in the 2025 midterm elections, with all local elected posts in this Mindanaoan city now occupied either by scions or longtime allies of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.

While Davao has long been a bailiwick of Duterte, two of his grandsons said on Tuesday that they did not expect to be catapulted to key positions in their hometown via landslide wins.

Rodrigo Duterte II — the former president’s 27-year-old grandson and namesake — garnered 192,324 votes, making him the top city council candidate, finishing ahead of political veterans including outgoing Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr. who has settled for a council seat in the first district of Davao City.

“Nagulat nga ako. Inexpect ko na magpasok lang ako sana. If God willing, ibibigay ito ng Diyos pero hindi ako nag-expect na number one,” Rigo told reporters after his proclamation.

“Napaiyak ako, ma’am. Na-proud talaga ako, napaiyak talaga ako, tears of joy,” he said.

Rigo — who has been working as his father’s chief of staff for several years — said their family has yet to tackle the possibility that he would soon have to serve as Davao City’s vice mayor, as his uncle Sebastian is expected to be promoted to acting mayor in the absence of the detained Duterte patriarch.

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“Sa ngayon, wala pa kasi kami napag-usapan na ganyan pero if ever na magdating man sa panahon na ganyan talaga, maghintay kami sa kung ano sabihin ni Mayor Rody at ni Vice Mayor Baste,” he said.

“Kung ano ang trabaho ng tatay ko, vice mayor din naman siya at si Tito Baste ko naging vice mayor din, so susundin ko na lang,” he said.

“I will follow their footsteps so I’ll be better. Medyo fallback pero I’m ready.”

Meantime, Duterte’s eldest grandson and Rigo’s elder brother, Omar, will soon join their dad, Paolo, in the halls of the House of Representatives after getting 160,432 votes in the first congressional district race, topping rival Javi Garcia Campos’ 90,156 votes.

“I wasn’t really expecting anything… I just put my belief in the people lang din,” he said.

When asked about the bills he plans to prioritize in his maiden term in Congress, Omar said, “Kung puwede lang wala akong gusto iprioritize, gusto ko sabay-sabay lang sila tanan pero kung hindi man gusto ko ng expansion sa Magna Carta for teachers, health workers, and other sectors.”

Rigo also wants to put an emphasis on health and education in the local ordinances that he intends to push as a neophyte councilor.

“Mostly about health. Wala pa nagawa ng lolo ko kasi sa kanya peace and order,” he said.

The brothers see their recent election victory as “a very exciting experience” to serve Davaoeños amid the challenges that their family is facing.

Aside from the former president’s arrest, they are also haunted by an assault case filed against father Paolo for supposedly punching and repeatedly threatening a businessman in February.

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Omar said he is thankful for the guidance he has received from the former president since his foray into politics.

“Ikaw talaga ang shining beacon na nag guide sa pamilya,” he said.

“Gustuhin ko man na nandito ka sana ngayon, unfortunately, due to circumstance, wala,” he said.

“Pero sige lang, next logical step is hanapan namin ng paraan para makauwi ka.”