Rody kin to avoid ‘awkward’ moments

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – While protocol may be the least of his concerns at his inauguration on June 30, president-elect Rodrigo Duterte would have to make sure the mothers of his children would be in their proper – and separate – places at Malacañang.

Duterte’s former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman told The STAR she has asked the Presidential Management Staff to make sure she would not be seated next to or near his current partner Honeylet Avanceña to avoid “awkward” moments.

Avanceña is reportedly also attending the ceremonies together with her daughter with Duterte, 12-year-old Veronica, also known as “Kitty.”

“(I want to) sit separately with my children and grandchildren so they (Honeylet) could sit also separately,” Zimmerman told The STAR in an interview.

Zimmerman said their children Sara, Paolo and Sebastian as well as their grandchildren will attend the inaugural ceremony.

Zimmerman said the trappings of the presidency do not dazzle her enough to make her want to be first lady.

“What for? I am not into anything like that. I am happy that he is now the president. I am really happy for him what he has reached in life. But as to the trappings of the presidency, I am not after them,” Zimmerman said.

But she stressed she will support her former husband all the way. “He has my full support. I will be behind him,” she said.

Zimmerman said she is happy with her life now, spending time taking care of their grandchildren.

Besides, Zimmerman said, Duterte can function well as president of the country even if he does not have any first lady. “He does not need any first lady at all,” Zimmerman said.

She added that she also has no plans of staying at Malacañang.

She said even their children shun the privilege of the position and have turned down security detail from the Presidential Security Group.

“We live simple lives here. It is enough for my children and me,” she added.

Zimmerman said she would be wearing a pink gown at the inaugural.

She said she has chosen pink as it symbolizes cancer. Zimmerman is battling breast cancer.

She said she and their adult children would be leaving for Manila on June 28 so they would have enough time to prepare for the inaugural rites.

Zimmerman stopped her radiation therapy for her breast cancer to join the 30-day Biyaheng Duterte bus tour together with Sara in Mindanao and the Visayas region during the campaign.

“He (Duterte) is a very thoughtful person and usually, he is taking care of me, even up to now. Even when he goes abroad, there’s always something for me,” Zimmerman said.

Duterte is not afraid to voice his views on various issues but is not comfortable talking about his personal life. The incoming president once told journalists that they can ask him anything except about his personal life.

More than 600 people are expected to attend Duterte’s inauguration in Malacañang on Thursday. – With Alexis Romero