MANILA. Philippines – The chief executive’s other half is getting more visible, taking part in presidential affairs like a First Lady.
On Wednesday, May 10, President Rodrigo Duterte’s common law wife, 47-year-old businesswoman-nurse Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña accompanied him to his six-day trip to Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Beijing with their daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte. This was the first time that Avanceña and her child went with Duterte on an official trip abroad.
The President, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, went to Cambodia to attend the World Economic Forum and report to the WEF about the progress in the Asean economic community following the 30th Asean Summit in Manila last week.
During the summit, Avanceña publicly appeared for an official function with the President and played host to Asean spouses.
On Wednesday, before departing for Cambodia, the chief executive said Avanceña and their daughter would be part of the trip because it was vacation time for Kitty and his common law wife, who was a medical professional in the U.S., would personally take care of his health needs.
“Yes. Because its vacation time and I said I find it hard to…have some medications to take. I don’t want these nurses na pasok sa kuwarto [to go in the room],” he said.
Duterte arrived in Cambodia Wednesday afternoon and went down the plane with Avanceña, who was wearing a green printed dress with black collar and placket.
From Cambodia, the President will fly to Hong Kong on May 11, for a three-day visit to meet around 210,000 Filipinos working in the territory. From May 14 to 15, he will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Bejing.