Politics & World • World Leader

Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Roa Duterte is a Filipino politician and lawyer who served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rodrigo Roa Duterte is a Filipino politician and lawyer who served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He was previously mayor of Davao City for multiple terms and became known for his hardline anti-crime and anti-drug policies. His presidency has been widely associated with the controversial war on drugs and later International Criminal Court proceedings over alleged crimes against humanity.

Early life and career

Rodrigo Duterte was born in Maasin, Leyte, in 1945 and became a lawyer before entering politics. He built his political base in Davao City, where he served as mayor for several non-consecutive terms.

Presidency

Duterte won the 2016 presidential election and served from 2016 to 2022. His administration emphasized crime reduction, anti-corruption efforts, counterterrorism, and a forceful campaign against illegal drugs.

War on drugs and controversies

Duterte’s anti-drug campaign became the defining and most controversial feature of his presidency. It was criticized by human rights groups and international observers over killings and alleged abuses.

International Criminal Court case

After leaving office, Duterte faced ICC-related legal action over allegations tied to killings during the drug war. He was arrested in 2025 and taken into custody in connection with crimes-against-humanity proceedings.

Key facts

He was elected president of the Philippines in 2016 and served a single six-year term.
His administration centered on an anti-illegal-drugs campaign known as the war on drugs.
His presidency drew strong criticism over alleged human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.
In 2025, he was arrested in connection with International Criminal Court proceedings over alleged crimes against humanity.

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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Duterte mainly through international news coverage of the Philippines, human rights reporting, and the ICC case, which drew global attention in 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rodrigo Duterte?

Rodrigo Duterte is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

What is Duterte best known for?

He is best known for his presidency and his controversial war on drugs, which was criticized for alleged human rights violations.

When was Rodrigo Duterte president?

He served as president from 30 June 2016 to 30 June 2022.

What office did he hold before becoming president?

He served as mayor of Davao City for several terms before winning the presidency.

Why is Duterte controversial?

His anti-drug campaign was linked to allegations of extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses.

What happened to Duterte in 2025?

He was arrested in connection with International Criminal Court proceedings concerning alleged crimes against humanity.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Duterte
Supports: Basic biography, presidency dates, political role, and campaign focus.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rodrigo-Duterte
Supports: Birth date, office held, and 2025 arrest in ICC-related proceedings.
BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-36659258
Supports: Overview of Duterte’s public image, war on drugs, and later legal controversy.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Rodrigo_Duterte
Supports: Presidential term details, policy priorities, and succession.
Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-ex-leader-duterte-long-defiant-deadly-drug-war-2025-03-11/
Supports: Background on his anti-drug campaign and arrest context.