Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court in March led many political pundits to declare the end of the former Philippine president’s political dynasty.
But his detention 11,000km away in The Hague and charges of crimes against humanity were not enough to prevent him from being elected in absentia this week as mayor of his hometown in Davao City.
The midterm polls have revitalised the Duterte family’s political fortunes and put his daughter Sara, who is currently vice-president, in the running for a presidential election in 2028 that could have far-reaching consequences for regional security and disputes in the South China Sea.