Born in 

Maasin, Leyte (now in Southern Leyte), Duterte moved to Davao as a child where his

father, Vicente Duterte, served as provincial governor. He studied political science at
the Lyceum of the Philippines University, graduating in 1968, before obtaining a law degree
from San Beda College of Law in 1972. He then worked as a lawyer and was a prosecutor
for Davao City, before becoming vice mayor and, subsequently, mayor of the city in the wake
of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Duterte won seven terms and served as mayor of
Davao for over 22 years, during which the once crime-ridden city became peaceful and
investor-friendly.[12][13]

Duterte's 2016 presidential campaign led to his election victory. During his presidency, his

domestic policy focused on combating the illegal drug trade by initiating the
controversial war on drugs, fighting crime and corruption,[14][15][16] and intensified efforts
against terrorism and communist insurgency. He launched a massive infrastructure plan,[17]
[18] initiated liberal economic reforms, [19] streamlined government processes, [20] and proposed
a shift to a federal system of government which was ultimately unsuccessful.[21]He also
oversaw the controversial burial of Ferdinand Marcos,[22][23] the 2017 Battle of Marawi,
[24] and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]He declared the intention to
pursue an "independent foreign policy", and strengthened relations with Chinaand Russia.
[26] He initially announced his candidacy for vice president in the 2022 election, but in
October 2021, said he was retiring from politics; the next month, he filed his candidacy for
senator but withdrew it on December 14.[27]

Duterte's political positions have been described as populist,[28][29][30] as well as nationalist.

[31][32][33] His political success has been aided by his vocal support for the extrajudicial
killing of drug users and other criminals.[34] His career has sparked numerous protests and
attracted controversy, particularly over human rights issues and his controversial comments.
Duterte has repeatedly confirmed to have personally killed criminal suspects during his term
as mayor of Davao.[35][36] Extrajudicial killings that were allegedly committed by the Davao
Death Squad between 1998 and 2016 during Duterte's mayoralty have also been scrutinized
by human-rights groups and the Office of the Ombudsman;[37][38] the victims were mainly
alleged drug users, alleged petty criminals, and street children.[39][40] The International
Criminal Courtopened a preliminary investigation into Duterte's drug war in 2018,
[41] prompting Duterte to withdraw the Philippines from the body in response. [42] He is the
only president in the history of the Philippines not to declare his assets and liabilities.
[43] Duterte's popularity and domestic approval rating remained relatively high throughout his
presidency and by the end of his term, he was the most popular post-EDSA(1986 People
Power Revolution) president.[44][45][46]