Guess what? Former President Rodrigo Duterte just announced two new people he wants to win in the 2025 Senate election! The names are Ariel Querubin, a retired soldier, and Gringo Honasan, who used to be a senator. This means Duterte is now supporting a total of 12 people for the Senate.
His son, Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, shared this news with their supporters while visiting his father in The Hague, Netherlands. That’s where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is holding Duterte right now. He’s being investigated for his past war on drugs.
Pulong said his dad is thankful for the support from the Filipino people and wants them to continue cheering for his chosen group of candidates — also known as the “DuterTen senators, plus two”.
Here are the original 10 Senate candidates Duterte already picked before he got arrested:
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Senator Bong Go – Duterte’s close friend and assistant
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Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa – former police chief
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Jimmy Bondoc – a lawyer who also sings
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Raul Lambino – another lawyer
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Philip Salvador – an actor
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Jayvee Hinlo – a legal expert
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Rodante Marcoleta – a party-list representative
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Apollo Quiboloy – a pastor who is currently detained
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Vic Rodriguez – once Duterte’s executive secretary
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Dr. Richard Mata – a medical doctor
Now, with Querubin and Honasan, the team is complete!
Even though Duterte is in jail, his son said he’s doing okay. In fact, Pulong joked that his dad looks like a “bad boy” again — like when he was mayor of Davao City. He added that Duterte is healthy and being well taken care of.
But that’s not all!
Both father and son are also planning to run for office again. Duterte wants to be mayor of Davao City, and Pulong wants to stay as a congressman.
The next elections in the Philippines will happen on May 12, 2025.
