DUTERTE — ROAD TO THE HAGUE Part 1: Rodrigo Duterte’s Early Years

This episode of Howie Severino Presents dives into the early life of Rodrigo Duterte, examining his formative years before he rose to national prominence. Journalist and biographer Earl Pareño, who wrote a comprehensive biography on Duterte, shares insights from his research, revealing a youth marked by instability, school expulsions, and involvement with gangs in Davao. Despite a turbulent upbringing—marked by absent parents and a distant father—Duterte displayed early signs of informal leadership, particularly among Visayan youth in dormitory settings. A pivotal moment in his past, confirmed by the former dean of San Beda Law School, was a shooting incident during his law studies that left a fellow student wounded. The school chose to cover up the incident, allowing Duterte to graduate without formal disciplinary action, highlighting a pattern of impunity. The episode also explores the influence of his parents, particularly his mother Soling Duterte, a strong-willed civic leader and anti-Marcos activist, and his father Vicente Duterte, a Marcos-era cabinet secretary. These dual legacies—of authoritarian service and democratic resistance—appear to have shaped Duterte’s complex political identity. As Duterte now faces ICC charges, this deep dive into his origins offers crucial context for understanding the man behind the controversial presidency.