Davao City vice mayor-elect Sebastian "Baste" Duterte will serve as acting mayor if his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, fails to take his oath as mayor of Davao City. The elder Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands on charges of alleged crimes against humanity.

This was according to Vice President Sara Duterte during an ambush interview at Island Garden City of Samal on Friday. The vice president was the guest of honor during the oath-taking of newly elected city officials of Samal Island.

"So, magsisimula yung term ng mga newly elected officials natin noon ng 30 June. Kung ang mangyayari --- kung ang senaryo ay hindi maka-oath si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte as mayor ng Davao City, ay magiging acting mayor ‘yung Vice Mayor ng Davao City," Duterte said.
(So, the term of our newly elected officials will start on 30 June. If what happens is that former President Rodrigo Duterte cannot take his oath as mayor of Davao City, then the Vice Mayor of Davao City will become the acting mayor.)

She, however, said that she does not know yet if the former president will be able to take his oath.

"Actually, hindi ko alam eh, kasi ito ay isang usapan between the client and lawyers niya ‘no – si former President Duterte at iyong kanyang mga local lawyers," the vice president added.
(Actually, I don’t know because this is a discussion between the client and his lawyers — former President Duterte and his local lawyers.)

The Duterte patriarch was proclaimed mayor “in absentia” by the Commission on Elections after securing a landslide victory in this year's midterm elections, garnering over 662,000 votes against rival Karlo Nograles’ 80,000. His son, outgoing mayor Baste Duterte, defeated his top contender Bernie Al-Ag in the vice mayoral race with 651,356 votes.

In the event the elder Duterte is unable to take his oath, his son, Baste, will have to move up by virtue of the law of succession.

Meanwhile, vice president Duterte who is the front runner in the presidential race for 2028 according to recent surveys, was asked if she is open to teaming up with Senator Christopher "Bong" Go as her vice president once she decides to run for the country's top post.

In response, the vice president said that she is not yet decided to run for president in 2028.

"Masyadong malayo talaga ‘yung 2028 at marami pang mga surveys na darating. Pero nagpagpapasalamat ako sa patuloy na pagtitiwala ng taong bayan sa Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo, sa akin at sa mga kasamahan ko sa opisina," Duterte responded.
(2028 is still really far and there are still many surveys to come. But I am thankful for the continued trust of the public in the Office of the Vice President, in me, and in my team.)