BIOGRAPHY

"The Punisher” • 16th President of the Philippines

2016–2022

Rodrigo Duterte, born on March 28, 1945 in Maasin, Southern Leyte, served as the country’s 16th president. Before rising to national leadership, he spent decades as mayor of Davao City, where he became known for his tough, no-nonsense approach to governance.

He studied Political Science at Lyceum of the Philippines University and earned his Law Degree from San Beda College of Law.

Duterte is the son of Vicente Duterte and Soledad Roa and has four siblings.

He has four children: Paolo, Sara, Sebastian, and Veronica “Kitty” Duterte. His former wife is Elizabeth Zimmerman, and his partner is Honeylet Avanceña.

As president, Duterte focused on law and order, infrastructure, and government decentralization, leaving a presidency marked by both strong support and intense national debate.