<div class="image-550">
<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-16/rodrigo-duterte-sm.webp" alt="Rodrigo Duterte" loading="lazy" />
<div>
(President Rodrigo Roa Duterte)
</div>
</div>
<p>
His father, Vicente Gonzales Duterte (1911–1968), was a lawyer from Cebu, and his mother, Soledad Gonzales Roa, was a school teacher hailing from Cabadbaran, Agusan and a civic leader with Maranao ancestry. Duterte has mentioned that his grandfather was of Chinese origin, specifically from Xiamen in Fujian, China. Duterte is one of five siblings, with Eleanor, Jocelyn, Emmanuel, and Benjamin being his brothers and sisters.
</p>

<p>
Duterte's father was mayor of Danao in Cebu, and subsequently the provincial governor of the then-undivided Davao province. Soledad worked as a teacher until 1952, when Vicente entered politics.
</p>
<div class="book-extract-ear">
<p> <i>
The Maranao people is a predominantly Muslim Filipino ethnic group native to the region around Lanao Lake in the island of Mindanao. </i>
</p>
</div>
<p>
Rodrigo's cousin Ronald was mayor of Cebu City from 1983 to 1986. Ronald's father, Ramon Duterte, also held that position from 1957 to 1959. The Dutertes consider the Cebu-based political families of the Durano and the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2849/today-in-philippine-history-february-27-1919-alejandro-almendras-the-father-of-davao-was-born-in-danao-cebu" class="news_link">Almendras</a> clan as relatives. Duterte also has relatives from the Roa clan in Leyte through his mother's side.
</p>
<p>
Duterte's family lived in Maasin, and in his father's hometown in Danao, Cebu, until he was four years old. 
</p>
<p>
In 1948, the Duterte family first relocated to Mindanao, although they continued to travel to and from the Visayas until 1949. By 1950, they had permanently established their residence in the Davao Region. 
</p>
<p>
He studied political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, graduating in 1968, before obtaining a law degree from <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2972/the-arrival-of-benedictine-monks-on-september-12-1895-the-historical-journey-of-san-beda-university" class="news_link">San Beda College</a> of Law in 1972. He then worked as a lawyer and was a prosecutor for Davao City, before becoming vice mayor and, subsequently, mayor of the city in the wake of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Duterte won seven terms and served as mayor of Davao for over 22 years, during which the once crime-ridden city became peaceful and investor-friendly.
</p>


<p>
As president, his domestic policy focused on combating the illegal drug trade by initiating the controversial war on drugs, fighting crime and corruption and intensified efforts against terrorism and communist insurgency. He launched a massive infrastructure plan, initiated liberal economic reforms, streamlined government processes, and proposed a shift to a federal system of government which was ultimately unsuccessful. He also oversaw the controversial <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/general-blogs/1971/sc-decision-in-marcos-burial-will-have-serious-consequences-on-the-separation-of-powers" class="news_link">burial of Ferdinand Marcos</a>, the 2017 Battle of Marawi, and the government's response to the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He declared his intention to pursue an "independent foreign policy", and strengthened relations with China and Russia.
</p>
<p>
Duterte's political positions have been described as populist as well as nationalist. His political success has been aided by his vocal support for the extrajudicial killing of drug users and other criminals. His career has sparked numerous protests and attracted controversy, particularly over human rights issues and his controversial comments. Duterte has repeatedly confirmed to have personally killed criminal suspects during his term as mayor of Davao.
</p>
<p>
Extrajudicial killings that were allegedly committed by the Davao Death Squad between 1998 and 2016 during Duterte's mayoralty have also been scrutinized by human-rights groups and the Office of the Ombudsman; the victims were mainly alleged drug users, alleged petty criminals, and street children. The International Criminal Court opened a preliminary investigation into Duterte's drug war in 2018, prompting Duterte to withdraw the Philippines from the body in response. He is the only president in the history of the Philippines not to declare his assets and liabilities. 
</p>
<div class="book-extract-ear">
<p><i>
Duterte's popularity and domestic approval rating remained relatively high throughout his presidency and by the end of his term, he was the most popular post-EDSA president. </i>
</p>
</div>
<p>
Duterte is known for being an avid fan of big bikes, but detests luxury cars. He once owned a second-hand Harley-Davidson and a Yamaha Virago. He was once a habitual smoker, but he eventually quit after a doctor's suggestion due to health concerns. Duterte is an avid reader of Robert Ludlum and Sidney Sheldon novels. Duterte is also known for his straightforward and vocal attitude in public, especially in interviews, showing no hesitation in profusely using profanity live on-screen on numerous occasions despite formal requests by media groups and schools beforehand to abstain.
</p>
<p>
Duterte has his own local show in Davao City called Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa ("From the Masses, For the Masses"), which was aired as a blocktimer on ABS-CBN Davao, and later on SMNI News Channel. He is also a member of Lex Talionis Fraternitas, a fraternity based in the San Beda College of Law and the Ateneo de Davao University.
</p>


March 28, 1945: Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 16th President of the Philippines, was born in Maasin, Leyte