Duterte Ancestral Home Temporarily Restricts Public Access During Araw ng Dabaw Celebrations
The Duterte ancestral home, located at Central Park Subdivision on Taal Street in Bangkal, Davao City, has implemented temporary restrictions on public access as the city enters the peak of the 89th Araw ng Dabaw celebrations. While the landmark is not officially closed, the family has directed that visitors will not be permitted inside the property for the time being, limiting access to the perimeter only.
Careful Management of Visitor Influx
Mila, the house caretaker, informed SunStar Davao that the residence, which was previously open for walk-in tours, now allows only perimeter access following directives from Elizabeth Zimmerman, the ex-wife of former President Rodrigo Duterte and mother of Vice President Sara Duterte. This move aims to manage the increased visitor traffic during the festive period without completely shutting down the site.
To ensure supporters and tourists are not left disappointed, a life-sized standee of former President Rodrigo Duterte has been placed at the front gate. This allows guests to continue taking commemorative photos from the street, maintaining a connection to the historical site. The caretaker has also clarified that social media posts suggesting the house will be closed permanently are false, emphasizing the temporary nature of these restrictions.
Historical Context and Family Decisions
This is not the first time the Duterte family properties have been at the center of public attention. In June of last year, a "For Sale" sign appeared outside the former president's residence at Doña Luisa Village in Matina, Davao City, alarming supporters and sparking widespread speculation online. Honylet Avanceña, Duterte's common-law wife, confirmed in a June 28, 2025, interview with dzRH that the house was indeed for sale, citing emotional distress and security concerns following Duterte's detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March over alleged crimes against humanity.
However, the former president ultimately refused to sell the property, as revealed by his son, Davao City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, after visiting his father at the ICC Detention Center in The Hague. Duterte cited the sentimental value of the house, noting it was the first home he purchased with his own money. The "For Sale" sign was promptly removed after the Duterte siblings reportedly opposed the sale.
Potential for Future Public Use
In a 2016 interview with SunStar Davao, Eleanor Duterte, the elder sister of the former president, mentioned that the family had once considered turning the house into a museum. However, no formal plans materialized, leaving the property's long-term public role uncertain. Since Rodrigo Duterte's rise to the presidency in 2016, the Doña Luisa home has attracted visitors from across the nation, serving as a tangible link to his journey from city mayor to national leader, highlighting its cultural and historical significance in Philippine politics.
