Duterte to split work week between Manila, Davao

MALACAÑANG POOL PHOTO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte is set to divide his weekdays by shuttling between Malacañang Palace and Davao, his son Paolo said on Friday.

“He will spend three days in Manila and spend three days in Davao City,” the incumbent Davao City vice mayor told reporters here.

When asked on where would his father stay on Sundays, the presidential son said in jest: “Baka sa simbahan. Hindi ko talaga alam. (Maybe in church. I don’t know.)”

“Seventh day, so Sunday, so simba (it’s time to go to the church),” he added, smiling.

He also said that his father would likely use the presidential guest house, dubbed as the “Malacanang of the South” located in Panacan district, when the President is in Davao City.

Weeks before he formally assumed the presidency, Duterte said that he was willing to commute back and forth from Manila to Davao daily until he can adjust living in the presidential palace.

“My bed is here. My room is here. My home is my comfort zone. It’s important that I can sleep and take a shower comfortably,” the President said in one of his late night briefings last May 29.

However, in an interview with Duterte’s close aide and Presidential Management Staff chief Christopher “Bong” Go a day before the inauguration, he said that the President will “likely” hold office at the Malacañang Palace as it is the “seat of power.” RAM/rga

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