Rodrigo Duterte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rodrigo Duterte
Official portrait, 2016
16th President of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Vice President	Leni Robredo
Preceded by	Benigno Aquino III
Succeeded by	Bongbong Marcos
19th Mayor of Davao City
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016
Vice Mayor	Paolo Duterte
Preceded by	Sara Duterte
Succeeded by	Sara Duterte
In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Vice Mayor	Luis Bonguyan (2001–07) Sara Duterte (2007–10)
Preceded by	Benjamin de Guzman
Succeeded by	Sara Duterte
In office February 2, 1988 – March 19, 1998
Vice Mayor	Dominador Zuño Jr. (1988–92) Luis Bonguyan (1992–95) Benjamin de Guzman (1995–98)
Preceded by	Jacinto Rubillar (OIC)
Succeeded by	Benjamin de Guzman (acting)
Vice Mayor of Davao City
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013
Mayor	Sara Duterte
Preceded by	Sara Duterte
Succeeded by	Paolo Duterte
In office May 2, 1986 – November 27, 1987 Officer in Charge
Mayor	Zafiro Respicio
Preceded by	Cornelio Maskariño (OIC)
Succeeded by	Gilbert Abellera (OIC)
Member of the House of Representatives from Davao City's 1st district
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001
Preceded by	Prospero Nograles
Succeeded by	Prospero Nograles
Chairman of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino
Incumbent
Assumed office February 7, 2016
President	Koko Pimentel Manny Pacquiao Alfonso Cusi Jose Alvarez Robin Padilla
Preceded by	Ismael Sueno
Chairman of the Davao City Liberal Party
In office 2009 – February 21, 2015
Preceded by	Peter Laviña
Personal details
Born	Rodrigo Roa Duterte (1945-03-28) March 28, 1945 (age 80) Maasin, Leyte, Philippine Commonwealth
Political party	Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (1998–2009; 2015–present) Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (local party; 2011–present)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (2009–15) Nacionalista (1990–98) Lakas ng Dabaw (1988)
Spouse	Elizabeth Zimmerman ​ ​ (m. 1973; annulled 2000)​
Domestic partners	Honeylet Avanceña (c. 1996–present)
Relations	Duterte family
Children	Paolo Sara Sebastian Veronica
Parents	Vicente Duterte Soledad Roa
Residence	Davao City
Education	Holy Cross College of Digos (secondary)
Alma mater	Lyceum of the Philippines University (BA) San Beda College (LL.B)
Signature

Rodrigo Roa Duterte KGCR (born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

He is the only president in the history of the Philippines not to declare his assets and liabilities. Duterte's popularity and approval rating stayed high during his time as president. By the end of his term, he was the most popular post-People Power Revolution president.

Early Life and Education

Rodrigo Roa Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Southern Leyte. His father, Vicente Gonzales Duterte, was a lawyer. His mother, Soledad Gonzales Roa, was a schoolteacher and community leader. Duterte has said that his grandfather was Chinese. He has four siblings: Eleanor, Jocelyn, Emmanuel, and Benjamin.

Duterte's father was a mayor and later a governor. His cousin, Ronald, was also a mayor. The Duterte family moved to Mindanao in 1948 and settled in the Davao Region in 1950.

School and Law Career

Duterte went to elementary school in Maasin and Davao City. He finished high school at Holy Cross College of Digos in Digos. He had been expelled from two previous schools due to his behavior. In 1968, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila.

He then studied law at San Beda College of Law and became a lawyer in 1972. Before becoming a politician, Duterte worked as a prosecutor in Davao City from 1977 to 1986.

Political Journey

Mayor Duterte (left) with President Benigno Aquino III during a meeting in Davao City in 2013

Newly elected Davao City Vice Mayor Duterte reading his inaugural speech in June 2010

Duterte speaks with Davao City residents in 2009.

Duterte became vice mayor and then mayor of Davao City after the 1986 People Power Revolution. He served as mayor for over 22 years. During his time, Davao City became known as a safer and more business-friendly place.

His campaign for president in 2016 led to his election victory.

Presidency (2016–2022)

Presidential styles of Rodrigo Duterte
Reference style	President Duterte, His Excellency (rarely used)
Spoken style	Your Excellency (rarely used)
Alternative style	Mr. President, President Mayor

President-elect Duterte (left) and outgoing President Benigno Aquino III at Malacañang Palace on inauguration day, June 30, 2016

Duterte became the sixteenth president of the Philippines on June 30, 2016. He was 71 years old, making him the oldest person elected to the presidency.

During his presidency, his main focus was on fighting crime and corruption. He also worked to address terrorism and communist groups. He started a huge infrastructure program and made changes to economic rules. He also tried to make government processes simpler. He proposed changing to a federal system of government, but this did not happen.

He also led the government's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. He aimed for an "independent foreign policy," which meant strengthening ties with countries like China and Russia.

Economic Plans

Duterte's economic plans were called DuterteNomics. These plans included tax reform, building new structures, and helping people in need. The goal was to help the Philippines grow economically and become a high-income country.

He made changes to attract foreign investors. For example, he signed laws allowing foreigners to own more of local businesses and public services like airports and railways.

He also reformed the tax system. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (TRAIN Law) meant people earning less than ₱250,000 a year paid no income tax. But it raised taxes on items like vehicles and sugary drinks. These new taxes helped fund the government's big infrastructure program. He also lowered corporate income taxes to attract more businesses.

Building New Infrastructure

The Athletic Stadium of the New Clark City sports complex, completed on October 12, 2019

To help reduce poverty and improve the economy, the Duterte administration started the Build, Build, Build program in 2017. This program aimed to greatly increase spending on public infrastructure. It included projects like the Subic-Clark Railway, the Metro Manila Subway, and the expansion of Clark International Airport.

By April 2022, 12 major projects were finished, and 88 more were well underway. Overall, thousands of kilometers of roads and bridges, flood control projects, and classrooms were completed.

Energy and Climate

At first, Duterte's government focused on using different energy sources, including coal. He noted that the Philippines' carbon footprint was small compared to larger countries.

Later, his government shifted to prefer renewable energy. In 2019, he ordered a reduction in coal use. In 2020, a ban was placed on building new coal power plants. In 2022, he approved including nuclear power in the country's energy mix.

Duterte signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in March 2017. He said that rich countries, which produce the most carbon emissions, should help smaller countries affected by climate change.

Making Government Simpler

Duterte signs the Freedom of Information executive order in Davao City on July 24, 2016.

Duterte worked to reduce red tape in the government. He wanted to make processes easier for the public. He issued an order for Freedom of Information, allowing citizens to get documents from government offices. This aimed to make the government more transparent.

In 2018, he signed the Ease of Doing Business Act. This law aimed to make it easier to start and run businesses by reducing processing times and cutting down on bureaucracy. He also set up the 8888 Citizens' Complaint Hotline in 2016. This allowed people to report complaints about government services or corruption.

Health Care Improvements

Duterte promised to improve the health care system. In 2019, he signed the Universal Health Care Act. This law automatically enrolls all Filipinos in the government's health insurance program. He also signed laws to make cancer treatment more accessible and to provide free mental health services.

He also ordered the full use of the Reproductive Health Law. He banned smoking in public places across the country. He also set a price cap on certain medicines to make them more affordable.

Education Initiatives

In 2017, Duterte signed the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. This law provides free college education in all state universities and colleges nationwide. He also signed a law allowing foreign universities to offer degree programs in the Philippines. This aimed to bring international quality standards to the country. He also created medical scholarships for students.

In 2021, he approved a law for the alternative learning system (ALS). This provides free education to those who are out of school. In 2022, he enacted a law for inclusive education for learners with disabilities.

In 2020, Duterte signed a law to create the country's first National Academy of Sports in New Clark City.

Duterte (left) endorsing Bong Go on October 2, 2021

Duterte (right) during Sara's oath of office as vice president in Davao City on June 19, 2022

Duterte initially considered running for vice president in the 2022 election. However, in October 2021, he announced his retirement from politics. He later filed to run for senator but withdrew his candidacy in December.

After the Presidency (2022–present)

Duterte and President Bongbong Marcos meet in Malacañang Palace on August 2, 2023.

After his term ended, Duterte returned to Davao City. He kept a low profile until January 2023. He then resumed hosting his weekly show, Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa (From the Masses, For The Masses), on SMNI.

Personal Life

Duterte enjoys big bikes. He once owned a second-hand Harley-Davidson and a Yamaha Virago. He used to be a smoker but quit for health reasons. Duterte likes to read novels by Robert Ludlum and Sidney Sheldon. He is known for being direct and outspoken in public.

He has a local show in Davao City called Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa. He is also a member of Lex Talionis Fraternitas, a fraternity from his law school.

Duterte is fluent in his native Cebuano, as well as Filipino and English.

Since being mayor, Duterte has a tradition of visiting children with cancer in Davao City and giving them Christmas gifts.

Family Life

Duterte (seated, left) with his first family after delivering his third State of the Nation Address in 2018

Duterte with Avanceña and their daughter, Veronica

Duterte's father, Vicente, passed away in 1968. His mother, Soledad, passed away in 2012 at age 95. His former partner, Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

Duterte was married to Elizabeth Zimmerman, a flight attendant, until 2000. They have three children: Paolo, Sara, and Sebastian. Paolo and Sara are involved in politics. Sara was elected Vice President in 2022.

Duterte currently lives with his partner, Cielito "Honeylet" Avanceña, who is a nurse. They have one daughter named Veronica. Duterte has eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Religious Views

Duterte has described himself as Christian.

Duterte distributes awards to Filipino athletes on October 16, 2019.

Awards and Recognition

Duterte turned down an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of the Philippines. On March 28, 2023, the Davao City Council declared March 28—Duterte's birthday—as "Duterte Day." This was to recognize his contributions to the city and the Philippines. In November 2023, he received an honorary Juris Doctor degree from his alma mater, San Beda College of Law.

National Awards

• Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR) – (2017)
• Awards for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU), Hall of Fame – (2023)

International Awards

Duterte received an honorary doctorate degree for international relations from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in October 2019.

• Malaysia
  • Johor: Grand Knight of The Most Esteemed Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, 1st Class (SMIJ) – Dato' (2019)
• Brunei
  • Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal – (2017)

Images for kids

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  Duterte in Arayat, Pampanga on September 27, 2016

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  Duterte welcomes Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad following his release from Abu Sayyaf captivity.

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  Duterte (2nd from right) presides over a meeting with the NTF-ELCAC at the Malacañang Palace on April 15, 2019.

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  Duterte with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, May 2017

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  Duterte presides over the 29th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on September 11, 2018.

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  Duterte meets with the Filipino community in Jakarta, September 9, 2016.

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  Duterte with US President Donald Trump in Manila, November 2017

See also

In Spanish: Rodrigo Duterte para niños

• List of presidents of the Philippines
• List of presidents of the Philippines by previous executive experience
• Political positions of Rodrigo Duterte