Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte asks Davao supporters to back family in 2028 polls

Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Rigo" Duterte II asked supporters to keep backing his family ahead of the 2028 elections during his All Souls' Day visit to the Roman Catholic Cemetery on Nov. 2, according to Mindanao Times.

The vice mayor offered prayers and lit candles at the grave of his great-grandparents, Vicente and Soledad Duterte. He told reporters he came on behalf of his grandfather, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who could not attend because he is in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.

In remarks in Bisaya, Duterte II noted that the filing of candidacies comes next year and said he did not yet know whether he would run again. He said it would be up to the people to decide if they still want service from the Dutertes, adding that the family would continue working for residents. The Commission on Elections will open the filing of certificates of candidacy in September 2027, the outlet reported.

Asked whether the former president had a message for Davao residents, he said: "Don't waste what he did for us. His work was for all of us." He added that his grandfather had given everything to the country and the city during his term, and that the family's work, including that of Mayor Baste Duterte, would continue despite the criticism it now faces.

After the cemetery visit, the Office of the Vice Mayor and the office of his father, Congressman Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, distributed 1,000 food packs to residents of Barangay 8-A. Barangay Chairman James Abadilla assisted in the distribution.

According to Mindanao Times, the Undas gift-giving dates back to the late 1980s, during the former president's early years as Davao City mayor. The vice mayor said the practice of remembering departed relatives while sharing food with the community will continue despite his grandfather's absence.