The women in Duterte's life

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has been known as a ladies' man. At one point, he shared in a gathering in November last year that aside from two wives, he has two girlfriends.

But who will take the role of First Lady if he wins the presidency? In the “Kabiyak” series that features the spouses of presidentiables and the role and advocacy they plan to pursue, GMA News interviewed the women in Duterte's life.

Rodrigo Duterte was married to Elizabeth Zimmerman for almost 30 years. Their marriage was annulled in 2000.

Zimmerman told GMA News’ Ian Cruz in a report aired on “24 Oras” on Wednesday that if Duterte wins, she would like to do charitable works.

“'Yan ang gusto ko talaga. Ever since ganun ang ginagawa ko,” she said.

The Davao City strongman earlier mentioned that former Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, one of his three children with Zimmerman, will be his First Lady.

But Inday Sara, who took her father's place and is seeking reelection as Davao City Mayor, says she may not be able to be the First Lady to her father.

“Kung pwedeng mag beg off, mag beg off na lang ako kasi tumatakbo din akong mayor sa Davao City. I'd rather stay doon kasi nandoon ’yung pamilya ko and may trabaho ako doon,” said Duterte-Carpio.

“Madami ang nagvo-volunteer na mag-act as First Lady. Yung mga babae sa Davao, mga professionals, sabi nila one First Lady per week,” she added.

Duterte-Carpio followed the footsteps of her father, she too became mayor from 2010 to 2013.

“Nakita ko ang trabaho niya, from 9 years old ako hanggang ngayon. Mabilis na ako mag-decide kung merong issue, may probema. Nakalikahan ko na. Parang second nature ko na,” she said.

In 2011, she earned both praise and criticism after she hit a court sheriff who had insisted in implementing a demolition order.

“Wala siyang sinabing payo sa akin sa nangyari yung insidente sa sheriff. Bihira kami mag-usap ng trabaho at politika sa loob ng bahay ng Nanay ko,” she said.

Meanwhile, Duterte's common law wife is Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña wants to focus her attention on the country's health sector. 

The mother of Duterte's youngest child, Veronica, is a registered nurse.

“Yung nasa government na mga nurses, up to now contractualization pa rin. I think I can contribute somehow,” she said.

Like Inday Sara, Avanceña also does not think too much about the prospect of becoming first lady.

“Ayaw ko ng may title. 'Yung title na 'yan, panandalian lang yun,” she said.

Apart from running the household, Avanceña also keeps herself busy by managing doughnut franchises and a meat shop.

“Independent din ako eh. Ayoko yung may gusto ako, hihingi pa ako sa kanya (Duterte),” she said when asked why she has to make her own money.

Avanceña even recalled helping Duterte shore up his finances.  — Virgil Lopez, BAP, GMA News