Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio dismissed rumors that she will now be officially the First Lady of the Duterte administration after her first attendance of an international event with her father in China.
In a text message, Mayor Duterte said she is only helping President Rodrigo Duterte in her personal capacity.
“No labels. I am here to work for Davao City and the President. Happy to help,” she said.
Mayor Sara accompanied the President in Boao, China on Monday for the opening ceremony of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2018 at the BFA International Convention Center.
Photos released by Malacañang show President Duterte and Mayor Duterte-Carpio posing with People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.
It can be recalled that no less than the President expressed his willingness to offer the First Lady position to his eldest daughter who, then, declined the offer.
This is the first time that Mayor Duterte accompanied her father in an official function abroad.
To date, only Elpidio Quirino had a daughter as his First Lady since he was a widower when he became president.
In the case of President Duterte, he is annulled to his first wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, who is the mother of Mayor Sara Duterte.
The position of First Lady is not an elected position, carries no official duties, and has no personal remuneration.
The title holder however participates in humanitarian and charitable work on behalf of the President.
