Mayor of Davao City

Before claiming the honor as Davao City’s first sitting mayor, Santiago Artiaga (1878-1962), one of the first pensionados (state scholars) during American occupation, was already a colorful, if controversial, figure in Manila. As city engineer, the highest position next to the mayor, he had clashes with the city council and, as acting city mayor, was the envy of his detractors.

In 1933, he filed an early retirement from public service, but this was not accepted. He continued to serve as city engineer until 1936 when he resigned to accept the appointment as de jure city mayor of Zamboanga. Two weeks thereafter, he was reassigned to Davao as first sitting city mayor.

For nearly three years he served diligently as local chief executive but had to leave after the President plucked him out for another assignment. On October 13, 1939, Malacañan announced his appointment as the new governor of Bukidnon, replacing Agustin L. Alvarez who took over as the new Davao City mayor.[4]

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

Lawyer and politician Rodrigo Duterte served seven terms as mayor of Davao City in the Philippines. In 2016, he became the 16th president of the Philippines.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Philippines. His father, Vicente, served as a local mayor and governor, and his mother, Soledad, was a teacher and a community activist.

Duterte's rise from the legal ranks to politician began when he was named special counsel at the City Prosecution Office of Davao City in 1977. He became assistant city prosecutor two years later, and in 1986 he was elected vice mayor of Davao City.

Nicknamed the "Punisher" for his controversial methods, Duterte nevertheless was successful in reducing crime. Furthermore, he was credited with helping to make Davao City cleaner by enforcing a smoking ban, and for his LGBT-friendly measures. His popularity was such that he served seven terms as mayor, sidestepping term limits with stints as a congressman and vice mayor, and drew huge ratings with a weekly television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa."[5]

Sara Duterte is the incumbent mayor of Davao City. She became the city's first female mayor and the youngest to ever be elected in its history. She is the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte who also served as mayor of the southern city for several terms before seeking the country's highest office.

Duterte is the running-mate of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., a former senator who is also the son and namesake of the late ousted dictator. She entered the vice presidential race at the last hour via substitution after initially claiming that she had no interest in seeking a national post.[6]