Quezon City: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that they will be requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow a Philippine embassy official to administer former president Rodrigo Duterte's oath-taking as the mayor of Davao City. This request comes as Duterte is currently in detention in The Hague, Netherlands.

According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla emphasized the DILG's recognition of Duterte's significant victory in the May 12 midterm elections. Duterte, who previously served as the president of the Philippines, was declared the winner by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and was officially proclaimed a day after the elections. Duterte secured over 662,000 votes, defeating his former Cabinet official, Karlo Nograles, who garnered 80,000 votes.

Remulla conveyed the need to seek ICC's permission for the administration of Duterte's oath. He mentioned that it is essential for Duterte to officially take his oath in order to assume the mayoral office. In Duterte's absence, his son, incumbent Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who was elected as vice mayor, will serve as the acting mayor.

The former president is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC for his actions during the war on drugs from 2016 to 2022.