PPP/PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY Vice-Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte, former presidential son, is set to take over as acting head of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), as it seeks to exert political influence in the incoming Congress.

In a statement on Monday, the political party said that Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla had stepped down from the presidency “to focus on his duties as legislator in the 20th Congress.”

“I intend to focus my attention on my duties as a senator, especially in preparing for the opening of the 20th Congress,” Mr. Padilla said.

He added that his involvement in the 2025 midterm elections had demanded much of his time and energy, prompting him to step down.

PDP-Laban said that as the party’s executive vice-president, Mr. Duterte will assume the presidency based on the rule of succession in its constitution.

Mr. Duterte is the son of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte who is currently detained in The Hague due to crimes against humanity from his war on drugs campaign. — Adrian H. Halili