Six weeks ago, a van laden with flowers arrived at the International Criminal Court’s detention center in The Hague, alongside an overwhelming number of birthday cards. These gestures were for Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, who marked his 80th birthday on March 28. Despite facing accusations of crimes against humanity for a violent antidrug campaign that resulted in numerous deaths, his popularity appears to persist, as demonstrated by the community support.
Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lawyer, mentioned in a telephone interview that the detention center received an influx of mail, causing some confusion. Kaufman took three sacks of letters out for Duterte as the court could not process them quickly. Meanwhile, back in the Philippines, many supporters dressed in the green of Duterte’s political party celebrated in the streets of Davao City.
As Filipinos prepared for midterm elections on Monday, it seemed highly likely that Duterte would secure another term as mayor of Davao City, given preliminary results indicating a substantial lead. Despite the serious charges he faces that could lead to a life sentence, Duterte’s political legacy continues to resonate with a significant portion of the electorate, reflecting a complex landscape of support and controversy around his leadership.
The situation underscores the challenge of separating personal admiration for a political figure from the gravity of the alleged crimes, highlighting the intricate dynamics of popularity and accountability in governance. The impending elections will further reveal the depth of public sentiment toward Duterte, as supporters rally behind him even amidst significant legal troubles.