Presidential daughter Sara to represent Duterte in Abe-hosted banquet – Palace

October 23, 2019

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to represent again President Rodrigo Duterte in the banquet to be hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday night for heads of state and other guests during Tuesday's enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.

Duterte cut short his trip to Tokyo by returning Tuesday night in Manila following his attendance at the Emperor's enthronement rites due to "unbearable" pain on his pelvic area after his motorcycle fall last week.

"The Office of the President wishes to relay its gratitude to Mayor Duterte for stepping up and properly and elegantly representing the country in the President's stead as the latter was constrained to leave Tokyo for Manila earlier that evening," he said.

Abe has invited heads of state and representatives of their governments who attended the Emperor's enthronement rites for a banquet.

The presidential daughter also represented Duterte in the banquet Tuesday night to mark the Emperor's formal accession to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Panelo said Sara left the event at the Imperial Palace at 11 pm as she spent time to chat with other world leaders, "assessing the event as an opportune time to network and mingle with them."

"Mayor Sara was an eye catcher in her pink terno and appeared to be enjoying herself with attendees being arranged and served a sit-down Japanese-style dinner during the banquet. She was able to meet and talk with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako, as well as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe," said Panelo, who also went to Japan. Celerina Monte/DMS