Rodrigo Duterte

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Rodrigo Duterte is a Filipino politician who served as the 16th President of the Philippines from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022. Born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Duterte was raised in Davao City, where his father served as governor of the then-undivided Davao province. Duterte earned his law degree from San Beda College in 1972 and became a prosecutor before entering politics.

Duterte's political career began in 1986 when he was appointed vice mayor of Davao City. He later served as mayor of the city for more than two decades across multiple non-consecutive terms from 1988 to 2016. During his time as mayor, Duterte earned a reputation for his tough stance on crime, particularly in his efforts to combat drug-related offenses. His approach, which included the use of extrajudicial methods, garnered both national and international attention, with supporters praising the reduction in crime rates and critics condemning alleged human rights violations.

In 2016, Duterte ran for president under the PDP–Laban party, focusing his campaign on eradicating crime, corruption, and illegal drugs. He won the election with a significant margin, becoming the first president from Mindanao. His presidency was marked by a controversial anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths during police operations. This campaign led to international scrutiny, with organizations like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court expressing concern over potential human rights abuses.

Duterte's administration also pursued a foreign policy shift, seeking closer ties with China and Russia, while distancing the Philippines from its traditional ally, the United States. Domestically, Duterte's government implemented key infrastructure projects under the "Build, Build, Build" program and oversaw efforts to decentralize power through federalism, though this initiative did not materialize during his term.

After completing his presidency, Duterte returned to private life but remained a significant figure in Philippine politics. He has faced ongoing investigations related to his drug war policies, particularly by the International Criminal Court.