Rodrigo Roa Duterte
Served as the 16th President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
Made history as the first Mindanaoan to hold the nation's highest office.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Leyte, Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the son of Vicente Duterte, a government worker who later served as governor of Davao province, and Soledad Roa, a public school teacher.
He spent his early years in Danao, Cebu—his father's hometown—before the family settled in Mindanao. His heritage reflects the rich diversity of the Visayas and Mindanao: his mother hails from Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, while his paternal grandmother was Maranao.
Rodrigo earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the Lyceum of the Philippines University in 1968. He went on to obtain his law degree from San Beda College in 1972.
Legal Career
Before entering politics, Rodrigo served as a special counsel and later as city prosecutor at the City Prosecutor's Office in Davao City from 1977 to 1986. His legal background laid the foundation for his approach to governance and public service.
Political Career
Rodrigo entered the political landscape in 1986 with his appointment as Officer-in-Charge Vice Mayor of Davao City. In 1988, he was elected mayor—the first of seven electoral mandates that would see him lead Davao City for over 22 years, making him one of the longest-serving mayors in Philippine history.
He also served as vice mayor and as representative of Davao City's first congressional district. Throughout his decades-long career, Rodrigo has never lost an election. In 2016, he became the first local chief executive to be directly elected President of the Philippines.
Presidency (2016–2022)
As the 16th President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte pursued a platform of change centered on public safety, infrastructure development, and an independent foreign policy. His administration launched the "Build, Build, Build" program, which ushered in a golden age of infrastructure across the country.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte also demonstrated a deep and personal concern for the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). He viewed them as modern-day heroes whose sacrifices deserved not only recognition but tangible government support.
He remains the first and only Mindanaoan to have served as President— a historic milestone that represented a shift in Philippine political tradition.
Family
Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the father of:
Paolo Duterte - Representative of Davao City's First Congressional District;
Sara Duterte - 15th Vice President of the Philippines;
Sebastian Duterte - Mayor of Davao City; and,
Veronica Duterte - College student, the youngest of his children.
His family has continued a legacy of public service, with three of his children holding elected office and contributing to governance at both the local and national levels.
Legacy
Rodrigo Roa Duterte's career spans more than four decades of public service—from the prosecutor's office to the Presidency. His leadership style, rooted in his Mindanaoan upbringing and legal training, has left an indelible mark on Philippine politics.
Whether through his historic election, his transformative infrastructure program, or his commitment to the welfare of OFWs, Rodrigo Roa Duterte remains a defining figure in the country's contemporary political landscape.
Contact Us
DISCLAIMER: This website is privately owned and operated. We do not solicit or accept donations, financial or otherwise; nor do we sell or endorse merchandise of any kind. No representatives, partners, groups, or volunteers are authorized to act on our behalf for these purposes. Misrepresentation of this website or its authorized activities may result in legal action.
Copyright 2026. OFPRRD. All Rights Reserved.