Comelec: Duterte can be proclaimed

MANILA, Philippines — Even if he is still in detention in The Hague, former president Rodrigo Duterte can be proclaimed as the newly elected mayor of Davao City.

“As far as the Comelec is concerned, a person is not required to be present in our country wherever they are proclaimed to have won,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said in Filipino yesterday.

But whether Duterte can assume the post or not, Garcia said, is beyond the Comelec to decide.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Garcia said it is the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that can decide the fate of Duterte.

“The role of the Comelec is to proclaim only. Once he is proclaimed, he can assume his post. If he cannot take his oath, that is now the role of the DILG,” he said.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco explained that the act of raising the winning candidate’s hand is merely ceremonial, thus the presence of the elected candidate is not required.

Laudiangco noted that there is no order to suspend the proclamation of Duterte.

The former president is currently detained at the International Criminal Court prison for alleged crimes against humanity.

Duterte is set to regain the mayorship of Davao City in a landslide victory against his opponent, former Civil Service Commission chairman Karlo Nograles. — Jose Rodel Clapano