Biography of Rodrigo Duterte
Early Life & Education
Rodrigo Roa Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Leyte, Philippines. He was the son of Vicente Duterte, a former governor of Davao, and Soledad Roa, a schoolteacher and civic leader. His family later moved to Davao City, where he spent most of his childhood.
Duterte attended Laboon Elementary School in Maasin before transferring to Santa Ana Elementary School in Davao City. However, due to disciplinary issues, he was expelled from multiple high schools before completing his secondary education at the Holy Cross of Digos.
He pursued higher education at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), where he earned a degree in Political Science in 1968. He then studied law at San Beda College of Law and passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 1972.
Photo Credit to: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:President_Rodrigo_Duterte_portrait.jpg
Political Career Timeline
Early Political Career
1986-1988
Appointed as OIC Vice Mayor of Davao City after the EDSA Revolution
1988-1998
Elected as Mayor of Davao City for three consecutive terms
1998-2001
Served as Representative of Davao City’s 1st District in the House of Representatives
2001-2010
Returned as Mayor of Davao City
2010-2013
Served as Vice Mayor of Davao City while his daughter, Sara Duterte, was mayor
2013-2016
Re-elected as Mayor of Davao City
Throughout his tenure in Davao, Duterte became known for his tough stance on crime, implementation of strict anti-drug policies, and programs for public safety. His leadership transformed Davao into one of the safest cities in the Philippines.
Presidency (2016-2022)
Rodrigo Duterte won the 2016 Presidential Elections with an overwhelming vote, marking the first time a mayor was elected directly to the presidency. His leadership focused on crime reduction, infrastructure development, and economic growth.
Key Policies & Achievements:
- War on Drugs – Launched an aggressive anti-drug campaign through “Oplan Tokhang,” aiming to eradicate illegal drugs in the country.
- Build, Build, Build Program – Focused on infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, airports, and railways.
- Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) – Established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for lasting peace in Mindanao.
- Independent Foreign Policy – Shifted diplomatic ties, strengthening relations with China and Russia while maintaining ties with the U.S.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Managed the country’s pandemic strategy, including lockdowns and vaccine rollouts.
His presidency was highly polarizing, with both strong support and criticism, particularly concerning human rights issues, press freedom, and governance style.
