Duterte’s brother dies

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February 8, 2026 | 12:00am

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The youngest brother of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte died yesterday due to a lingering illness.

Benjamin “Bong” Duterte, 62, helped draft the campaign plan of his niece, Vice President Sara Duterte, during the 2022 elections.

“His quiet leadership will be deeply missed as we look forward to the 2028 elections. We take comfort in our faith knowing that we now have a campaign manager in heaven,” the Vice President said.

She said that before his uncle died, he expressed his wish to limit his wake and burial to family members and select friends.

Benjamin had twice visited his brother at The Hague, where the former president has been detained since March 2025.

He was a councilor of Davao City when Duterte was mayor. He was rarely seen in public as he opted to serve quietly.

Duterte’s parents were former Davao governor Vicente and Soledad Duterte. Aside from Benjamin, his other siblings were the late Jocelyn, Blue Boy and Elinore.