DAVAO CITY, Philippines — In a major leadership transition for the once-dominant Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has officially taken over as the party’s national president.
The move comes at a critical juncture for the Duterte family, following Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent announcement of her intent to run for the presidency in 2028. Baste Duterte replaces Sen. Robinhood Padilla, who stepped down to focus on his legislative duties after serving as acting president since mid-2025.
During his oathtaking ceremony on Friday, April 10, 2026, the 38-year-old mayor vowed to consolidate the remaining members of the PDP—the political vehicle that propelled his father, Rodrigo Duterte, to Malacañang in 2016.
- Oathtaking: Duterte was sworn in by former Energy Secretary and PDP vice chair Alfonso Cusi. The event was attended by key party stalwarts, including Sen. Bong Go and former Budget Secretary Wendell Avisado.
- “Filtering” Process: Addressing the exodus of former members to other political coalitions, Baste described the split as a “filtering process,” stating that those who remain have proven their loyalty and are the true custodians of the party’s mission.
- Party Identity: The ceremony also reinforced the party’s rebranding; the group officially dropped “Laban” from its name in 2024 following a years-long internal leadership battle that was ultimately settled by the Supreme Court in favor of the Duterte-Cusi faction.
The leadership change is seen by analysts as a strategic move to secure a solid political base for the Duterte family’s national ambitions.
- VP Sara’s 2028 Bid: By heading the PDP, Baste provides a formal organizational structure that can mobilize support for his sister’s upcoming presidential campaign.
- Davao Power Base: Baste currently serves as Davao City Mayor, a position he assumed after his father’s election win last year was complicated by the elder Duterte’s ongoing legal battle with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
- Party Legacy: With former President Rodrigo Duterte still serving as the party chair, Baste’s presidency ensures that the “Duterte brand” of governance remains the central pillar of the PDP’s platform.
The PDP, which was once the country’s most powerful political party, faces the challenge of reclaiming its dominance in a landscape now largely influenced by the Lakas-CMD and the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
Duterte emphasized that the party’s commitment remains “genuine public service,” but his immediate task will be rebuilding the party’s grassroots network and preparing for the 2028 national elections.