RODRIGO DUTERTE IN ICC CUSTODY

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his firm intention not to sell his Davao City residence. His decision comes just a few days after his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, reportedly indicated the property was for sale, with the former President emphasizing the significant sentimental value the house holds as his very first home.

This clarification was relayed by his son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte, during an interview aired on the Alvin & Tourism Facebook page on Monday afternoon. The interview followed Rep. Duterte’s visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in The Hague, Netherlands, where his father is currently detained.

Reports of the house being on the market emerged on Saturday, following a phone interview by Honeylet Avanceña with DZRH radio. A “for sale” sign was also observed on the gate of the Davao City house that day, though it was no longer present on Sunday. No reason for its removal was disclosed.

Rep. Duterte stated he inquired about the house during his visit, a topic he initially approached cautiously given his father’s current situation. “I asked him if he was considering selling the house. He said no. That home was the first he bought with his money, and he doesn’t want to let it go,” Rep. Duterte recounted.

The lawmaker further quoted his father: “He told me, ‘Why would I sell that? That’s my very first house.’ He also mentioned that Honeylet has a much larger house, so there’s no need to sell the house at Doña Luisa Subdivision.” When asked if Honeylet had sold the property, the former President’s response was unclear, noting that if it were sold, the family could not reverse the action.

Rep. Duterte also mentioned that his mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman (the former President’s former wife), has expressed willingness to accommodate the former Chief Executive at their family home upon his release from detention. “Our mother already said that when the time comes, and if God wills his release, he can stay in our family’s house. We all have our own homes, and if he doesn’t have one anymore, he can stay in any of ours,” Rep. Duterte said.

The congressman added that he discussed the matter with his siblings, Vice President Sara Duterte and acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte. They agreed that the house has become more than just a private property, now serving as “part of Davao City’s identity, now a known place where people gather.”