Zimmerman sees ‘awkward’ moments at Duterte’s inauguration

Elizabeth Zimmerman, ex-wife of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, attends the launch of the photo exhibit of veteran photographer Rene Lumawag, dubbed as “Duterte through the Years. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/NESTOR CORRALES

DAVAO CITY – Elizabeth Zimmerman will attend the June 30 inauguration of her former husband President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. And how does she feel about it?

“I am apprehensive,” Zimmerman admitted at the sidelines of the launch of Duterte’s photo exhibit here.

She did not elaborate, citing “personal reasons.”

On June 30, Duterte will be inaugurated at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañang Palace.

Duterte had said before that Zimmerman, his common-law wife Cielito Honeylet Avanceña and the members of his family would be present during his inauguration.

Zimmerman said she expects “some awkward situations” during the inauguration but she must be present at the ceremony “because if I am not there, my children (Paolo, Sara and Sebastian) might not go there.”

Asked if the presence of Avanceña would be that “awkward situation,” she said: “Yes, I think so, that’s why there will be an awkward situation.”

She said she was considering asking the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to give her a separate seat.

“Maybe I will ask somebody from the PMS that we go separately, with my children and my grandchildren,” she said.

No need for first lady

Asked about who would be Duterte’s first lady, Zimmerman said he doesn’t need one.

Zimmerman said she and her family would fly to Manila on June 28 ahead of Duterte’s inauguration. She would be wearing a pink gown made by Davao-based fashion designer Silverio Anglacer on June 30.

She said pink is a symbolic color for cancer. Duterte’s ex-wife is suffering from a stage 3 breast cancer.