Vice President Sara Duterte Raises Concerns Over Father's Housing Amid Sale

In a recent press conference held in The Hague on July 8, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte addressed potential changes regarding the residence of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, following reports that the family home in Davao City is up for sale. The property, located in Doña Luisa Village, Barangay Matina, is reportedly owned in part by Honeylet Avanceña, the former president's common-law partner.

During the briefing, Vice President Duterte stated, "As a lawyer, I think they acquired the property when they were living in, so its status is co-ownership." She clarified that while Avanceña has the legal right to sell her share of the property, the entirety of the home cannot be sold without mutual agreement.

The Vice President expressed her concern for her father's living arrangements should the house be sold, saying, "Where will PRRD live if they sell the house? This is one of my concerns." She further mentioned that her brother, Representative Paolo Duterte, echoed her sentiments about their father's living situation, suggesting that the former president could stay at their mother Elizabeth Zimmerman's residence. "Mama said it's okay with her if he visits; he can stay here," she added.

This discussion comes in the wake of Rodrigo Duterte's recent legal troubles, having been arrested in the Philippines on March 11, 2025. He is currently detained in Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration's controversial war on drugs.

The property sale has raised significant public interest, particularly regarding the implications for the Duterte family's future as well as the former president's ongoing legal battles. According to Dr. Maria Lopez, a political analyst at Ateneo de Manila University, the sale of the house may signal a shift in the family's public visibility and influence. "Real estate transactions involving prominent political figures often raise questions about stability and future intentions, especially in the context of ongoing legal challenges," she noted in her recent study published in the Philippine Journal of Political Science in April 2025.

Critics of the former president have pointed to the sale as a potential attempt to distance the family from the former president's controversial legacy. Leader of the opposition, Senator Risa Hontiveros, remarked, "The sale of the Duterte family home could be seen as both a personal and political maneuver, especially given the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the ongoing scrutiny of his administration's actions."

The Vice President's comments also reflect a broader concern regarding the family's public image and their future interactions, as she firmly stated that while there is no reconciliation in sight between her parents, there remains a semblance of friendship. This sentiment may indicate a strategic approach to maintaining family unity amidst public and legal challenges.

Overall, the situation underscores the complex interplay between personal family matters and the broader political landscape in the Philippines. As the Duterte family's next steps unfold, observers will be watching closely for how these developments may impact the political climate in the country, especially in light of the upcoming 2025 elections, where the Duterte legacy continues to be a focal point of national discourse.