Honeylet joins Duterte in state banquet for Japanese PM Abe, wife

The common-law wife of President Rodrigo Duterte, Honeylet Avanceña, joined him as he played host to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe during the state banquet in Malacañang on Thursday night.

She was seated beside the Prime Minister while Akie Abe sat beside Duterte as the leaders gave their toasts.

EARLIER: Pres. Duterte and PM Abe arrive in Rizal Hall with Honeylet Avanceña and Akie Abe for the state banquet pic.twitter.com/g6IDwC7wY1

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) January 12, 2017

Aside from the members of the Cabinet and Congress, businessmen also attended the state banquet.

Spotted at the Rizal Hall were Ramon Ang, Manny V. Pangilinan, Hans Sy, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

US Ambassador Sung Kim also attended the banquet.

Abe and his wife are expected to visit Duterte in his hometown Davao City on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Tuesday said that Abe wanted to visit Duterte's home in Matina but it was not part of his official schedule. —NB, GMA News