Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Roa Duterte (born March 28, 1945) is a Philippine politician who served as the 16th President of the Philippines from June 2016 to June 2022. Before assuming the presidency, Duterte spent over two decades as the mayor of Davao City, during which he earned a reputation as a tough-on-crime administrator. His presidential campaign capitalized on his law-and-order platform and anti-establishment messaging, resonating with Filipino voters frustrated with crime and corruption. Once in office, Duterte launched the controversial 'War on Drugs,' which resulted in thousands of deaths and attracted international criticism from human rights organizations. His presidency was marked by a shift in foreign policy toward closer relations with China and Russia, and away from traditional U.S. alliance emphasis. He also pursued infrastructure development and pursued peace negotiations with insurgent groups. Duterte's tenure was highly polarizing — supporters credit him with bringing attention to drug problems and infrastructure development, while critics point to extrajudicial killings and erosion of democratic institutions. His presidency significantly impacted Philippine politics and international relations, and he remained a controversial but influential figure in Southeast Asian politics.