A newly launched political coalition has tapped Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte as its central convenor, positioning the 38-year-old as a national political figure for the first time since taking over the presidency of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
The Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability — or RAGE Coalition — held its formal launch on April 12 at Club Filipino, drawing together political parties, civic groups, and grassroots organizations that organizers described as a broad, multi-sector bloc united around a common reform agenda.
More than 600 affiliated organizations nationwide are part of the alliance, which includes political parties PDP-Laban, Partido Reporma, and Reform PH, alongside a range of sectoral, regional, and community-based movements.
“The alliance is a consolidation of forces calling for transparency, responsiveness, and people-centered governance,” convenors said at the launch.
The coalition’s stated priorities include curbing corruption, checking the alleged misuse of public funds, defending democratic institutions, addressing rising living costs, and protecting citizens and organizations from what it describes as abuse of power.
Duterte’s elevation to the convenor role follows his assumption of the PDP-Laban presidency, a post previously held by Senator Robin Padilla, who stepped back to concentrate on his legislative work. The mayoralty Duterte currently holds is one he returned to this year — he had previously served as vice mayor and acting mayor of Davao City before reassuming the position.
He is the son of former president Rodrigo Duterte and the younger brother of Vice President Sara Duterte, whose ongoing impeachment trial has kept the family name at the center of Philippine national politics.
