10/12/2025
The controversial man was credited with transforming the city from a notorious "haven of lawlessness" into one widely regarded as SAFE. This ruthlessly effective approach earned him the nickname "the Punisher".
His political career was launched in 1986 when he was appointed OIC Vice Mayor of his home city. He was successfully elected mayor in 1988 and served seven terms, spanning over 22 years, establishing a profound local executive legacy.
He made history in 2016 as the first president elected directly from a local chief executive position and the first to hail from the southern island of Mindanao. His administration aggressively pursued the massive Build! Build! Build! infrastructure program.
Following his term, he faced an unprecedented legal challenge. He was arrested and transferred to The Hague on March 11, 2025, becoming the first Philippine president to face detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of Crimes Against Humanity related to the anti-drug campaign and the alleged local death squad killings. As of late 2025, the ICC has rejected his appeals for release, mandating his continued detention.
Despite being detained, he was re-elected as mayor of his home city in 2025. His daughter serves as the current Vice President, maintaining the family's national influence.
