Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte has been appointed as the new president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino — Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the political party long associated with his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The announcement was made on Saturday by Senator Robin Padilla through a social media post, confirming the leadership transition within the party.
“Opisyal ng itinalaga ang Mayor ng Davao City bilang Pangulo ng PDP Laban! kapatid ng Bise Presidente at anak ng dating Pangulo Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Padilla wrote.
In a separate post, Padilla expressed his enthusiasm over the development, saying:
“Napakasarap ang pakiramdam kapag ang mga ipinagdasal ay nasasagot at ang mga pinangarap ay nagaganap.”
Prior to Duterte’s appointment, Padilla had been serving as party president. He previously stepped aside in June 2025 to focus on his legislative duties at the start of the 20th Congress, allowing Duterte to temporarily assume leadership.
The leadership change marks a continued consolidation of influence within the PDP, a party closely tied to the Duterte political family.