By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte announced on Friday, November 22, that his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, will temporarily use his office at the House of Representatives (HOR) for an indefinite period.
In a letter to House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chair Joel Chua, Rep. Duterte explained that he had granted the Vice President permission to occupy his office to oversee matters involving her staff, currently detained in the HOR building.
Rep. Duterte clarified that Vice President Duterte’s presence aligns with her visits to Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, her chief-of-staff, and other personnel from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) who are under the custody of the House’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
“I have allowed Vice President Duterte—who is not only the Vice President but also a proud constituent of the First District of Davao City—to temporarily use my office to ensure she can continue performing her duties to the Filipino people without interruption,” he stated.
The congressman emphasized that his office is available to anyone seeking to advance the nation’s welfare. “My office in the House of Representatives is not mine alone—it is a space owned and paid for by the Filipino people, especially the hardworking taxpayers of the First District of Davao City. It exists to serve the public,” he added.
Rep. Duterte described the move as a gesture of support for his sister and a recognition of the challenges faced by public servants. He expressed confidence that his constituents would understand and even take pride in knowing their office is being utilized to address national concerns.
“The offices we hold are not permanent. By 2025, many of us in Congress may no longer be here. This reality reminds us that these spaces are not for personal gain but for serving the public,” he said.
He assured that no unlawful activities would take place during the Vice President’s use of the office, reinforcing the principle that public service must always take precedence over personal interests.
Rep. Duterte also vowed to maintain his office’s accessibility to those who genuinely aim to contribute to the nation’s progress, reflecting both his personal commitment to public service and the values of his constituents.
“Together, let us continue prioritizing the needs of the nation above all else,” he urged.
The announcement followed Vice President Duterte’s overnight stay in his office, during which she visited her staff who were cited for contempt by a House panel and detained for five days.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe noted earlier that Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas requested Vice President Duterte to vacate the House after 10:00 p.m. However, the vice president opted to stay.
