WATCH: Glimpse of Dutertes’ power in Davao City

The Dutertes are influential, but how would Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment and the arrest of the Duterte patriarch affect the upcoming polls?

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – To show their force, the Duterte family and allies mobilized thousands of supporters on March 28 to celebrate former president Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday and call for his release from detention in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Duterte patriarch was arrested by the Interpol on March 11 over his crimes against humanity case pending with the International Criminal Court.

Local police said the supporters were around 60,000, as of 7 pm on Friday, but Duterte supporters said they reached at least a hundred thousand. The supporters, wearing green shirts and waving Philippine flags, filled the streets of Recto and Roxas Avenues in the city.

In the event, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte took a swipe anew against Marcos.

The event coincided with the kick off of local campaigns for the 2025 midterm elections. At least five members of the Duterte family — the former president included — are gunning for local posts in Davao City.

Will Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment and the arrest of the Duterte patriarch affect the upcoming polls?

Rappler reporter Jairo Bolledo reports from Davao City. – Rappler.com