Bandhan Yoga Election Victory and Detention in Duterte’s Vedic Horoscope

Introduction to the Arrest and Astrology

Astrology sheds light on significant events like the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity related to his "war on drugs" led to his arrest at Manila airport on March 11, 2025 ,after arriving from Hong Kong.

Duterte’s Lagna and Planetary Placements

Duterte’s birth chart, sourced from Astrotheme, shows a Capricorn Lagna with Ketu in the 12th house and Mars in the 2nd house, forming Paap Kartari Yoga around the Lagna, where malefic planets flank the ascendant, signaling challenges. This configuration also establishes Bandhan Yoga, strongly linked to confinement or jail.

Current Dasha and Planetary Influences

Duterte was under the Mercury-Sun-Mercury Vimshottari Dasha on 11th March 2025. The Sun, in the 3rd house (short travels), rules the 8th house (humiliation) and exchanges signs with Jupiter in the 8th house. Jupiter, as the 3rd and 12th lord (jail), amplifies this influence. The 3rd house, being the 8th from the 8th, emphasizes humiliation.

Role of the 12th House and Bandhan Yoga

In Vedic astrology, the 12th house signifies confinement, like jail. Ketu in the 12th house strengthens Bandhan Yoga, supported by Mars in the 2nd house, solidifying PaapKartari Yoga. Jupiter, the 12th lord, in the 8th house (humiliation), aspects the 12th house, along with Saturn from the 6th house with Rahu (legal troubles). The Sun, 8th lord, is aspected by Saturn from 6th House[Court Case] and exchanges signs with Jupiter (12th lord). The Moon, as the 7th lord (foreign) from the 9th house, aspects the Sun, tying the event to international influences, such as the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant.

Chart of Rodrigo Duterte

Chart of Rodrigo Duterte

Chart of Rodrigo Duterte

Mercury’s Role in the Pratyantar Dasha

Why is this happening during Mercury’s Pratyantar Dasha, despite its strong 4th house placement and Vargottama status? Mercury, the 6th lord (litigation), is aspected by Jupiter, the 12th lord (jail). In the Navamsa chart, with Taurus Lagna on Poornima Tithiin the 5th Navamsa, Jupiter, 8th lord (humiliation), is in the 8th house and aspects Mercury in the 12th house (jail). Mercury’s conjunction with Rahu in D-9 indicates foreign connections, aligning with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) involvement.

Transit on Arrest Day (March 11, 2025)

On the arrest day, Saturn (Lagna lord) was deeply combust with the Sun (8th lord, humiliation, Antar Dasha lord). Mercury (Mahadasha and Pratyantar Dasha lord) was in a planetary war with Venus in the 4th house, intensifying legal challenges.

Bandhan Yoga in Duterte’s Lagna ChartThe Capricorn Lagna chart confirms Bandhan Yoga through malefic influences. Mars in the 2nd house and Ketu in the 12th house form Paap Kartari Yoga, encircling the Lagna, a key Vedic astrology indicator of imprisonment.

Dreshkone (D-3) Chart Analysis

The Dreshkone (D-3) chart provides deeper insight. In D-3, Lagnesh Venus is conjunct Ketu, a malefic, and aspected by Mars the 12th Lord[Jail] and Jupiter, the 8th lord (humiliation). The D-3 Lagna is also aspected by Mars the 12th Lord , confirming Bandhan Yoga. An equal distribution of planets on the 4th-10th axis in D-3 indicates restrictions, reinforcing the theme of jail.

Duterte’s Davao Win Marred by Detention Abroad

On May 12, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won a landslide election as Davao’s mayor, a city his family has ruled for over 20 years. But he’s detained in The Hague, facing ICC charges for his deadly drug war, making it hard to take office.

Rajyoga: Why He Won

Rajyoga is a lucky astrological combo that brings success. In Duterte’s chart: He was under Vimshottari Dasha of Mercury-Sun-Venus on 12th May 2025.

• Venus the Pratyantar Dasha Lord , a powerful planet ruling career (10th house) and creativity (5th house), teams up with Mercury,themahadasha Lord , which controls challenges (6th house) and luck (9th house).

• They meet in the 4th house (home, comfort) from his birth chart’s starting point (Lagna), forming a Rajyoga. This boosted his popularity, leading to his big election win.

Transit on Election Day (May 12, 2025)Mercury (Mahadasha lord) was in the 4th house with the exalted Sun, and Venus (Pratyantar Dasha lord) was exalted in the 3rd house with Saturn (Lagna lord). Venus’s sign exchange with Jupiter (12th lord, jail) highlights ongoing confinement despite the victory.

Why Duterte Remains Detained Abroad

Duterte’s detention is driven by the following astrological factors:

• Jupiter’s Role in Rashi Chart: Jupiter, the 12th lord (jail), occupies the 8th house (trouble) in the Rashi chart and is connected to the Sun (8th lord, obstacles) via a sign exchange. This enforces Duterte’s confinement during the Mercury-Sun-Venus Vimshottari Dasha, despite his May 12, 2025, Davao mayoral victory. The Sun, as Antar Dasha lord, exchanges signs with Jupiter (12th lord, jail) and aspects Mercury (Mahadasha lord) and Venus (Pratyantar Dasha lord) in the 4th house, strengthening detention.

• Navamsa Chart Insights: In the Navamsa chart, Mercury, the Mahadasha lord, is in the 12th house (jail) with Rahu (foreign), under the aspect of Jupiter (8th lord, crises) in the 8th house. Venus, the Pratyantar Dasha lord, is aspected by Mars (12th lord), Saturn (9th lord), and the Moon (3rd lord, 8th from 8th house), emphasizing the 12th lord’s role in sustaining confinement.

Other Astrological Signs

• Mercury-Sun-Venus Dasha: This period powers both his Davao win (Rajyoga) and detention (12th house influences) .

• Saturn and Rahu in 6th House

In the Rashi chart, Saturn and Rahu in the 6th house (legal troubles) aspect the 12th house (jail) and the Sun (Antar Dasha lord), amplifying ICC-related legal challenges for Rodrigo Duterte .

• Rahu’s Foreign Influence: Rahu with Mercury in Navamsa’s 12th house, under Jupiter’s 8th lord aspect, highlights detention abroad.

• Jupiter’s Dual Role

In the Rashi chart, Jupiter, as the 12th lord (jail), enforces Rodrigo Duterte’sdetention abroad as of May 20, 2025 (2:52 PM IST). In the Navamsa chart, Jupiter, as the 8th lord (crises), aspects Mercury in the 12th house (jail) and the Leo sign, linked to the Sun (Antar Dasha lord), intensifying legal hurdles and humiliation in his ICC case while suggesting potential future legal strategies.

Rodrigo Duterte’s September 2025 ICC Hearing: Astrological Outlook

He will be under the Vimshottari Dasha of Mercury-Moon-Rahu from 5thSeptember 2025.

Moon’s Influence (Antar Dasha Lord)The Moon (7th lord, foreign, in 9th house), a strong Full Moon, is well-placed for luck and travel. However, it lacks a direct connection to Jupiter (12th lord, jail). A sign exchange between the Sun (8th lord, trouble, in 3rd house) and Jupiter (in 8th house) indirectly ties the Moon to the 12th lord, reinforcing Duterte’s confinement abroad. Additionally, Mars (4th lord, home, and 11th lord, allies), aspecting the Moon, is a key planet in Bandhan Yoga (confinement), making it unfavorable for his release.

 Navamsa Chart: In Navamsa, the Moon with Saturn (Yogakaraka, success planet) offers some hope for positive outcomes. But Venus’s aspect as the 6th lord (court cases, litigation) points to continued legal battles, dimming relief prospects.

 Rahu’s Role (Pratyantar Dasha Lord): Rahu in the 6th house (court cases) with Saturn (Lagna lord) in the Rashi chart suggests legal struggles. In Navamsa, Rahu with Mercury (5th lord) in the 12th house (jail), under Jupiter’s aspect as the 8th lord (trouble), strongly indicates ongoing confinement with no immediate release in September 2025.

ConclusionRodrigo Duterte’s astrological chart, showcases how Bandhan Yoga and Rajyoga drive his May 12, 2025, Davao mayoral victory and ongoing ICC detention. Rajyoga, formed by Venus (10th lord, career) and Mercury (9th lord, luck) in the 4th house, fueled his election win through Davao’s emotional connection. Conversely, Bandhan Yoga, powered by Jupiter (12th lord, jail) in the 8th house, Ketu in the 12th, Rahu-Mercury in Navamsa’s 12th, and the Sun-Jupiter sign exchange, keeps him detained abroad, preventing his mayoral oath. During the Mercury-Moon-Rahu Dasha starting September 5, 2025, for his ICC hearing, the Moon (7th lord, foreign) links to Jupiter via the Sun, and Rahu in Navamsa’s 12th, under Jupiter’s 8th lord aspect, reinforces confinement. Mars, a Bandhan Yoga planet, and Venus’s 6th lord aspect (litigation) signal persistent legal struggles, making relief unlikely in September 2025. This case underscores Vedic astrology’s precision in decoding Duterte’s triumph and captivity.

Published in Express Star Teller May 2025

Written and Researched by Sunil Dutt