Paolo Duterte

Birth Name: Paolo Zimmerman Duterte

Place of Birth: Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

Date of Birth: March 24, 1975

Ethnicity: Filipino [including Cebuano and Waray], some German, some Chinese and Spanish, possibly distant Portuguese

Paolo Duterte is a Filipino politician. He has been Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Davao City’s 1st District, since June 30, 2019, as well as Vice Mayor of Davao City, from June 30, 2013 to January 5, 2018, and Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, from July 22, 2019 to October 13, 2020. His father, Rodrigo Duterte, was President of the Philippines, from 2016 to 2022. His mother, Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman, is of one fourth German descent. His siblings are politician Sara Duterte, who has been Vice President of the Philippines, since 2022; musician and politician Sebastian Duterte; and half-sister Veronica Duterte.

He is married to January Tabar Navares. He has three children with his former wife Lovelie Sangkola; and two children with January.

His father has said:

You know, my grandfather was Chinese. My father was Cebuano. When I was asked about my father, [I answered] Cebuano. Why? As I have said, we traced the pedigree or lineage to the father.

Rodrigo has also stated that his Chinese grandfather was from Xiamen. He also stated that his mother, Soledad, was of Maranao descent, also Filipino. However, according to Soledad’s birth record, her father was born in Cebu City, while her mother was born in Maasin, Southern Leyte, indicating that they had Cebuano and Waray ancestries, respectively.

Paolo’s paternal grandfather was Vicente Gonzales Duterte, who was the Governor of the undivided Davao province (the son of Facundo Duterte y Buot, or Facundo Buot Duterte in Filipino, and of Zoila Gonzáles). Vicente was born in Danao City, Cebu, Central Visayas. Facundo was the son of Isabelo Duterte, whose father was of part Chinese descent and whose mother was a Filipina of part Spanish descent, and of Concepción Buot. Isabelo’s great-great-great-great-grandfather was believed to be Diogo (or Diego in Spanish) Veloso, a 17th century Portuguese explorer. However, it is not clear if this is accurate.

Paolo’s paternal grandmother was Soledad “Soleng” Gonzales Roa (the daughter of Eleno Roa and Fortunata Gonzáles). Soledad was from Cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte, Caraga. Eleno was the 4th municipal president of Liloan, Leyte, from 1911 to 1912. Paolo’s great-grandfather Eleno is pictured here.

Paolo’s maternal grandfather was Godofredo Baldazo Zimmerman (born Godofredo Baldazo, the son of George John Zimmerman and Cristeta Baldazo). Godofredo was born in Hilongos, Leyte. George was a U.S. Army personnel member, from Peoria, Illinois, and was the son of German emigrants, Michael August Zimmerman, of Munich, Bavaria, and Maria Augusta “Mary” Wenzel, who was from Neu Stüdnitz, East Friesland, Prussia, now Nowa Studnica, Wałcz County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. Rodrigo Duterte has said that Godofredo was Jewish. This is not correct.

Paolo’s maternal grandmother was Purisima Fortunado Abellana (the daughter of Gaspar Rondina Abellana and Julia Pajaganas Fortunado). Purisima was born in Tuburan, Cebu. Gaspar was the son of Félix Abellana and Dalmacia Rondina. Julia was the daughter of Bonifacio Fortunado and Romana Pajaganas.

Sources: Birth records of Paolo Duterte – https://familysearch.org
https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Paolo Duterte (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Birth records of Paolo’s father – https://familysearch.org
https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Paolo’s parents – https://familysearch.org