From 3Gs to 3Fs

While he may be held at The Hague to stand trial for alleged "crimes against humanity," former president Rodrigo Duterte remains a candidate for the Davao City mayoralty race in this coming May 12 national and local elections.

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

No less than the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared the name of the former Davao City mayor is already in the printed ballots. Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. told us this at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay last Wednesday, a few hours after ex-president Duterte was whisked on board a private Lear jet bound for the Netherlands. It was after Mr. Duterte was served the warrant of arrest from The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) after his arrival from Hong Kong Tuesday morning. He was boarded on a hurriedly arranged flight late Tuesday night. The ICC case stemmed from the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in carrying out his all-out war against illegal drugs.

"He (ex-president Duterte) is still a candidate because the only way to stop being a candidate is if he withdraws," Maceda pointed out. Moreover, Maceda added Mr. Duterte is not facing any disqualification case pending before the Comelec. Maceda believes the ex-president is not about to give up the mayoralty contest to his rival.

If we follow our country's existing election laws, even if the former president is convicted at The Hague, the ruling is not yet final. Conviction is automatically appealable to the Appeals Court, a separate and higher judicial body of the ICC.

The former president is running with his youngest son, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, who slid down to run as his vice mayoralty running mate. Former Duterte Cabinet assistant secretary Karlo Nograles III is facing off with his former boss to contest his comeback bid as mayor of Davao City.

The former president turns 80 years old this March 28, when the official campaign period for all aspirants in the local elections starts.