Rodrigo Duterte

Biography of Rodrigo Duterte

Date of Birth: 28.03.1945

Place of Birth. Education. Rodrigo Duterte was born on Leyte Island in the city of Maasin (Pivdenny Leyte province) to a future mayor of Danao city and governor of Davao province Vincente Duterte and school teacher Soledad Roa. In 1951, the Duterte family moved to the Davao region.

In 1956, Rodrigo Duterte graduated from elementary school in Davao, having been expelled twice for bad behavior. He completed secondary education at St. Bede Academy in Digos.

In 1968, Duterte graduated from high school at the University of the Philippines in Manila with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1972, he graduated from law school at St. Bede College. That same year he passed the bar exam.

Career. After completing his studies from 1977 to 1979, he worked as a legal consultant at the Davao City Prosecutor's Office. He then served as the fourth (1979-1981), third (1981-1983), and second (1983-1986) assistant city prosecutor of Davao.

From 1986 to 1998, Duterte was the vice mayor of Davao. In 1988, he ran for the mayor's office but lost the election. In 2001, Duterte was elected mayor of Davao and was re-elected several times.

In 1998, he ran for the House of Representatives, becoming a congressman from the 1st district of Davao City.

In 2010, Duterte became vice mayor, taking over the position from his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was elected mayor. He has received several offers to become the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government but has always declined.

In 2015, at a forum of federalism supporters in Baguio, Duterte announced that he would enter the presidential race because 'the republic needs to be saved'.

From June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022, Rodrigo Duterte was the President of the Philippines. During his presidency, mass killings of drug dealers and suspected drug traffickers began during police raids. As a result, the United States stated that they could suspend military aid to the Philippines if violations of the rule of law, due process guarantees, and human rights continued in the country.

In August 2016, the media reported 900 drug dealers killed in the Philippines, with killings occurring during raids and special operations conducted by police and community activists (residents). By the end of September, this number had risen to 2400. According to official data from the Philippine Department of the Interior, another 700,000 drug dealers and addicts surrendered to the authorities to avoid punishment without trial and investigation. At the beginning of January 2017, it was reported that 6299 were killed in the war on drugs.

UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions Agnes Callamard said in August 2016 that Duterte's calls to kill those he considers drug dealers were an inappropriate step and, moreover, such actions constitute a crime. To this, Duterte responded sharply: 'Maybe we should detach ourselves from the UN. What do we need this nonsense for?'

In October 2021, Rodrigo Duterte, who cannot run for another presidential term, announced his decision to withdraw from politics.

Scandals. During his time as mayor, Duterte forced a tourist to eat chicken for violating Davao's anti-smoking regulations. The bar owner called Duterte, and he personally arrived to 'enforce the law'. As a result, Duterte faced criticism, especially from the Philippine Commission on Human Rights.

In September 2016, at a press conference before the ASEAN summit, Duterte insulted US President Barack Obama, who wanted to address the issue of killings in the Philippines. Duterte called Obama derogatory names and promised to curse him. He later apologized for his remarks.

A few days later, Duterte rudely expressed his opinion about the UN Secretary-General: 'I told myself, you, Mr. Ki-Moon, are just another fool. I will continue my campaign against criminals, I do not pity them. I am indifferent to this.'

Duterte, whom Time magazine called The Punisher, has been frequently criticized by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, for supporting punishment for crimes without trial and investigation, committed by the 'Davao death squads'. In July 2005, at a summit dedicated to fighting crime, the politician stated: 'Swift punishment for criminals remains the most effective tool for combating kidnappings and drug trafficking.'

In 2015, Duterte confirmed the link between him and extrajudicial killings of criminals in Davao, also stating that if he became president, he would punish up to one hundred thousand criminals.

On November 29, 2016, an assassination attempt was made on Duterte. Nine of his bodyguards were injured.

Personal Life. From 1973 to 2000, he was married to Elizabeth Zimmermann, with whom he has six children. He currently lives in a common-law relationship with nurse Honeylet Avanceña, and they have a daughter together.

21.07.2022.