DAVAO CITY – Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, son of First District Representative Paolo Duterte, refuted accusations by a local candidate claiming that the congressional office has been closed due to the congressman’s absence.

Speaking before the crowd at the Barangay 5-A covered court during the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party Campaign Rally on April 2, Rigo dismissed the claims, explaining that his father had to leave Davao City for a while for family matters.

“My father, Congressman Pulong, had to be there. His father, who is my grandfather, was brought to jail without an arrest warrant. Of course, as a son, he had to go,” Rigo said in a local dialect.

Government authorities allegedly arrested Former President Rodrigo Duterte at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11 without an arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, then immediately transported him to The Hague, Netherlands.

The young Duterte pointed out that his grandfather, former President Duterte, is facing legal issues that require his Rep. Duterte’s presence. But, Rigo said, that does not mean the lawmaker abandoned his responsibilities.

Rigo clarified that while he wanted to join his father and the rest of their family in The Hague, he and his siblings—Omar and Isabelle—were advised to remain in Davao City to continue serving the people.

He emphasized that the First Congressional District Office remains operational despite his father’s absence and continues to assist constituents through medical missions and emergency assistance, among other programs, before the campaign started.

“People are accusing that the first district office has been closed...But look at what my father has done—medical missions, aid for those in need, responding to fire victims. Are these not real?” he added.

Rigo, expressing his disappointments over the allegations hurled against their family, swiped at those spreading false information recently, suggesting they might be longing for the congressman’s presence.

The young Duterte rallied the crowd to support the former Chief Executive as mayor of Davao City, with his son, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, as his running mate, Rep. Duterte, and the rest of the lineup of the HTL party for the first district in the May elections.

“We must unite for my grandfather, Mayor Rody Duterte, to return as mayor. We also stand together for Vice President Sara Duterte to become the next President of the Philippines in 2028,” Rigo said as he thanked everyone for their unwavering support.

Rep. Brian Lim, presenting the Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Partylist, expressed his full support for the HTL party in a separate speech. He also urged everyone to vote straight for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan party’s lineup.