Nograleses Mum on Defeat After Duterte Family’s Davao Sweep

THE 2025 mid-term elections in Davao City have officially concluded with a sweeping victory for the Duterte family, but sibling-lawyers Karlo Alexei Nograles and Margarita Ignacia “Migs” Nograles, both of whom suffered wide-margin defeats, are still silent on their social media pages.

The Davao City Board of Canvassers proclaimed the winners on May 13. Former President Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD) emerged as the city’s new mayor with a commanding 662,630 votes, defeating Karlo Nograles, who trailed with 80,852 votes. Bishop Rod Cubos placed third with 7,757. 

The race marked a symbolic rematch of a decades-old political rivalry between Duterte and Karlo’s late father, Prospero Nograles. 

While the two patriarchs had reconciled before Prospero’s death, their family names remain significant political fixtures in the city.

In the vice mayoral contest, outgoing mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte secured victory with 651,356 votes. His closest rival, Councilor Dr. Bernie Al-ag, garnered 78,893 votes, while Oyie Barcena received 5,219. 

Al-ag has already conceded, thanking voters in a Facebook post, saying, “Daghang salamat sa higayon na magpapili isip inyong Bise-Mayor.”

Meanwhile, in the race for the first district representative, incumbent Paolo “Pulong” Duterte was proclaimed the winner with 203,557 votes. Migs Nograles came in second with 49,186 votes, followed by independent candidate and peace advocate Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana, who received 3,530. 

Maglana, who ran in hopes of challenging the longstanding political dynasties of the Dutertes and Nograleses, conceded shortly after the initial unofficial results were released. In a statement, she expressed gratitude to her supporters and committed to continuing her work for “sustainable development of Davao, a good quality of life, a government with integrity, consistent defense of the environment, and a peaceful society.”

“Along with our felicitations to those who were given mandates is the reminder that our citizens are prepared to exact accountability for their performance and promises,” Maglana added.

Maglana’s and Al-ag’s early concession of defeat stood in contrast to the silence of the Nograles siblings, who have not issued any public statements following the official proclamation of results. Both Karlo and Migs Nograles ran as independents but were perceived to be aligned with the Marcos administration. Their campaigns centered on offering an alternative to the Dutertes’ brand of governance, with platforms focused on institutional reforms, public accountability, and inclusive development.

As of May 15, their social media post was still about urging Dabawenyos to vote wisely and encouraging them to choose the Nograleses, which was posted on May 12. DEF