Sara Duterte: Academic Background and Record in Public Service
Davao City, Philippines — Vice President Sara Z. Duterte stands as one of the country’s most prominent public officials, with a career shaped by academic preparation, legal training, executive leadership, and national service. Her professional journey reflects a combination of local governance experience, legal expertise, and participation in civic and defense-related institutions.
Academic Foundations
Vice President Duterte began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from San Pedro College in Davao City. She later pursued a Juris Doctor degree at San Sebastian College–Recoletos, equipping her with formal legal training that would shape her future in governance and public service.
In 2011, she completed the twin program of the General Staff Course of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College and the Master of Public Management from the Development Academy of the Philippines. This advanced training further strengthened her expertise in leadership, public administration, and strategic governance.
She also passed the Pre-Judicature Program of the Philippine Judicial Academy, demonstrating her readiness and qualification for potential service within the judiciary.
Early Legal and Government Career
In 2006, Duterte briefly served as a Court Attorney at the Supreme Court of the Philippines, gaining firsthand experience within the country’s highest judicial institution.
Her entry into elective office began in 2007 when she was elected Vice Mayor of Davao City, serving until 2010. In the same year, she was elected Mayor, a position she would hold across multiple terms. As Mayor, she also served as Chairperson of the Local School Board and the Regional Development Council (RDC), reflecting her leadership in both educational governance and regional planning.
She held national leadership roles, including serving as a regional officer of the National Movement of Young Legislators (2007–2010) and as an officer in the National Executive Board of the League of Cities of the Philippines (2010–2013).
In 2013, she temporarily stepped away from politics and returned to legal practice as a partner at Carpio & Duterte Lawyers, further strengthening her experience in the private legal sector.
Civic and Humanitarian Engagement
In 2014, Duterte was elected to the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross, underscoring her commitment to humanitarian service and community development.
Her leadership in Davao City gained national and international attention. In 2012, she was among the 88 nominees for the World Mayor Awards, recognized as one of only two Filipino mayor nominees that year. Between March 2017 and December 2021, Davao City received 117 awards, citations, and recognitions during her administration. In 2021, she was named the Philippines’ Top Performing Mayor with a 93% rating by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc.
Defense and Reserve Service
Vice President Duterte is affiliated with several uniformed service institutions. She is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984 and the Philippine National Police Academy Tagapagkalinga Class of 1991. She also serves with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Reserve Command.
Holding the rank of Colonel, she serves as Assistant Brigade Commander of the 2202nd Ready Reserve Combined Arms Brigade of the Philippine Army, reflecting her continued engagement in national defense and reserve service.
National Leadership
In 2022, Sara Duterte was duly elected Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, receiving 32 million votes. She concurrently served as Secretary of the Department of Education from 2022 to 2024. During this period, she was also Co-Vice Chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and served as SEAMEO Council President from 2022 to 2024.
A Record of Leadership and Service
Vice President Sara Duterte’s career reflects a blend of academic achievement, executive leadership, legal expertise, and public service across local and national levels. From city governance to national administration, her trajectory demonstrates sustained involvement in education reform, regional development, civic engagement, and defense service.
Her academic credentials and professional milestones collectively portray a public servant shaped by discipline, institutional training, and long-standing engagement in Philippine governance.
