No women, just Rody kids on stage

MANILA, Philippines - Departing from tradition, neither President Duterte’s former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, nor his current partner, Honeylet Avanceña, was asked to go to the stage to witness the new Chief Executive take his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes yesterday.

Instead, it was his children with Zimmerman – Davao City Mayor Sara, Vice Mayor Paolo and Sebastian – and daughter with Avanceña, 12-year-old Veronica, who shared the stage with him.

Veronica held the Bible where Duterte placed his hand as he was taking his oath.

Zimmerman and Avanceña arrived separately at Malacañang together with their children.

They were also billeted in different hotels in Metro Manila prior to the inauguration.

Duterte’s former wife had earlier issued a statement that she preferred to be seated away from Avanceña to avoid an awkward situation. 

No fancy barong

True to form, Duterte wore a cotton, long-sleeve barong, beige pants and brown boots to his inauguration. 

Duterte had earlier said he does not like to wear a piña or jusi barong because it gives him an allergy.  

There were reports that designers from Davao were tapped to provide the Chief Executive with at least six barongs to choose from for the historic event.

Duterte was caught on camera buttoning up his barong as he walked the halls of Malacañang after a warm welcome by outgoing president Benigno Aquino III.

Unlike Aquino who wore a symbolic intertwined yellow ribbon throughout his six years in office, Duterte had a small Philippine flag pinned on his left chest.  

His statement of unity was emphasized as he addressed the nation at the end of his speech that he was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country.