Rody longs for Davao during Middle East state visits

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte longed to be back home in Davao City to spend time with his family after spending the Lenten holiday in the Middle East on state visits.

 As soon as he arrived from Qatar before dawn yesterday, Duterte visited the wake of a slain soldier in Batangas and flew to Davao.

Admitting he was still sleepy, the President said he wanted to see his grandchildren, including the youngest, Stonefish.

“Sabik na ako sa apo ko, pati mga anak ko. So I have to go home from here. I’ll go to Batangas first, then fly home.”

After changing his clothes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, Duterte immediately boarded a helicopter that took him to San Jose town.

The President visited the wake of 2/Lt. Estelito Saldua Jr., one of those killed in a firefight with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Inabanga, Bohol last week. 

He invited the repatriated overseas Filipino workers, who came home with him from the Middle East, to visit Davao.

“Kayong gustong umuwi, you can catch up with the early morning flight. There are about 32 flights a day to Davao, at any time, at any hour, you can always go home,” he said.

Duterte was in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar during the Holy Week.

He missed the 69th birthday of his wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, last Friday.

Although they are separated, the President has always been thoughtful of Zimmerman, whom he sometimes refers to in his speeches as the “mother of Inday” or Sara.

He said he continues to support his first family financially although he is no longer living with them.

Zimmerman attended the presidential inauguration at Malacañang last year.

Duterte has publicly acknowledged Honeylet Avanceña, with whom he has a daughter, as his partner.

He goes home to Avanceña, who assumed as presidential spouse during the visit of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year.

Duterte brought home at least $925 million in trade deals and other agreements from his trip to the Middle East.