By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur–Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has officially taken his oath as the new President of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) on April 11, at Doña Elena Tower in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Manny Lumanao, PDP Laban Regional Chairman in Caraga, in an online interview, said Duterte formally assumed the presidency vacated by Sen. Robin Padilla during Saturday’s PDP National Executive Committee and National Council meeting at the party’s national headquarters.
“His leadership will be affirmed during the scheduled PDP National Assembly on July 26 in Manila,” Lumanao said.
He noted it was not yet clear why Padilla resigned from the party’s top post and if he is still holding another post.
The oath was administered by PDP Acting National Chairman Alfonso Cusi, in the presence of Senators Robin Padilla and Bong Go, along with other high-ranking officers of the party who witnessed this significant moment.
The oath taking marks a new chapter for PDP Laban as it continues to strengthen its leadership and expand its reach nationwide. With Mayor Duterte at the helm, the party reaffirms its commitment to uphold its core principles and advance its mission of delivering genuine public service to the Filipino people, said a press statement from the PDP Laban Facebook page.
“As PDP Laban moves forward, the leadership underscores unity, continuity, and a shared vision of building a stronger and more inclusive nation—guided by the values of malasakit, tapang, at tunay na serbisyo,” added the statement.
Duterte, who has served as the party’s acting president since mid-2025, now assumes the formal leadership of the political organization founded by his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Lumanao said the swearing-in ceremony marks a significant milestone in Duterte’s political journey, solidifying his influence within the party and the national political scene as he continues his term as mayor of Davao City.
He added that his new position within PDP-Laban places him at the forefront of the party’s direction as it prepares for the upcoming elections.
“PDP-Laban members and political observers alike have been closely watching the leadership transition. Duterte’s ascension to the top post comes as the party, under his leadership, aims to expand its influence and strengthen its hold on key political platforms in the coming years,” Lumanao concluded.
PDP-Laban’s national council meeting was attended by party leaders and supporters, all of whom celebrated the mayor’s new leadership role. As national president, Duterte is expected to play a critical role in shaping the party’s direction as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of the coming election seasons.
This formal swearing-in signals a new chapter for the Duterte-led political group, with the younger Duterte now at the helm of the party’s national operations, continuing his commitment to advancing his father’s political agenda.
