KARACHI, Pakistan

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is still a candidate for the mayor of Davao City in the 2025 midterm elections despite being in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the country's top electoral body said.

"He (Duterte) is still a candidate. His name is on the ballot, and voters can vote for him," George Garcia, a top official of the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec), told reporters in Manila on Wednesday.

He said Duterte has not withdrawn or been disqualified from the mayoral race.

Duterte filed his candidacy in October 2024, seeking to reclaim the post he held for a total of 22 years.

The 79-year former leader had served as mayor of Davao, a southern metropolis, before he became president in 2016.

Comelec Commissioner Ernest Maceda said that even if Duterte is convicted, the former president could not be barred from seeking an elective post.

Duterte has the option to campaign while outside the country, he added.

Filipinos will vote in the midterm elections to elect 12 senators, new members of the House of Representatives, and local leaders on May 12.

Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on Wednesday after being arrested at the Manila International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong over charges of "crimes against humanity" during his "war on drugs." His policy allegedly killed thousands of small-time drug dealers, users and others without trial.