Koko’s partner steals limelight during Congress opening

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s low-key partner made her first appearance yesterday at the opening of the second regular session of Congress and at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.

Kathryn Yu caught the attention of those who attended the opening of the session at the Senate as she was seen seated in the VIP gallery wearing a Mindanao-inspired dress.

“He usually introduces me as partner,” Yu told reporters.

She said wearing a Mindanao-inspired outfit was intentional, owing to the crisis in Marawi City.

Yu currently manages the law firm of Pimentel and that of his father and namesake former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Her mother was reportedly a classmate of Pimentel’s elder sister Gwen Pimentel-Gana, a commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights.

Yu had accompanied Pimentel during the celebration of the Senate’s centennial last October. She was also present during Pimentel’s oath-taking in the Senate last year but she kept a low profile.

Pimentel is estranged from his wife, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1998 Jewel May Lobaton. The couple separated after 12 years in 2012. They have two sons.

SONA fashion

Female legislators and guests at Duterte’s SONA yesterday opted to wear Mindanao-inspired outfits instead of lavish gowns to convey their support for the people in conflict-hit Marawi City.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez urged SONA attendees to donate their budget for expensive attire to thousands of Marawi residents who were displaced by two months of war between government troops and Maute terrorists. 

Former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo donned a Muslim-inspired attire, which she had worn on previous occasions. 

Sen. Loren Legarda sported an old blouse worn by her late mother who was from Antique and an old Maranao landap woven in the traditional inaul way. Inaul is the malong of Maguindanao. 

Senate President Pimentel’s partner, Kathryn Yu, wore a Mindanao-inspired bolero over a plain green dress by designer Paul Cabral.

The President’s children, Mayor Sara Duterte and siblings Paolo and Sebastian, flew in from Davao City to witness the SONA.

This was the first time that Mayor Duterte attended the President’s SONA. She was advised to go on bed rest last year due to a complicated pregnancy. Accompanied by her husband, the mayor wore a pink terno.

The President’s eldest son, Davao Vice Mayor Paolo, arrived with his wife January.  Sebastian came with his long-time girlfriend, Kate Necesario. – With Helen Flores