Duterte to split workweek between Manila, Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte may divide his weekdays between Malacañang Palace in Manila and Davao, according to his son Paolo.

“He will spend three days in Manila and spend three days in Davao City,” Paolo, the incumbent Davao City Vice Mayor, told reporters here.

The Vice Mayor said his father would likely use the Presidential Guest House, dubbed “Malacanang of the South” located in Panacan district, when he is in Davao City.

Asked where his father would be on Sundays, the son jested: “Baka sa simbahan. Hindi ko talaga alam. (Maybe in church. I don’t know.)”

During the campaign, President Duterte often crossed swords with Catholic Church leaders, calling them hypocrites.

Weeks before he formally assumed his post, President Duterte said he wanted to commute back and forth from Manila to Davao daily until he adjusts to 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 a late night briefing on May 29.

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