Palace sees nothing wrong with Duterte granddaughter's photo shoot inside Malacañang

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said there was nothing wrong with holding the pre-debut photo shoot of President Rodrigo Duterte’s granddaughter inside Malacañang.

He said Isabelle Duterte was just like any other ordinary Filipino who want to have a photo inside the Palace.

“Sa ’kin, wala namang masama doon. Nag-pose lang for birthday pictures yung apo ni Presidente sa Malacañang,” Roque said.

“I don’t think it should be an issue. Kasi dapat nga nakatira sila sa Malacañang. Hindi naman sila tumitira sa Malacañang so gaya sila ng ordinaryong mamamayan na pwede ring magpicture-picture sa Malacañang,” he added.

“Huwag na po nating ipagkait yung photo opportunity sa loob ng Palasyo,” Roque said.

Roque said the photo shoot was most likely held Thursday.

The shoot, managed by Rita Neri Event Planners and stylist Jeff Galang, was in preparation for #BELLEssima18 or Isabelle's debutante ball. The President's first granddaughter is expected to have a grand celebration on her birthday, January 26.

Isabelle is the daughter of Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his ex-wife, Lovelie Sangkola Sumera.

Just last month, President Duterte also attended celebrations held in Malacañang; one is for the baptism of Robin Padilla’s daugther, and the other, the birthday party of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

Roque said Duterte prefers to attend social events inside Malacañang, and that not a single centavo of taxpayer’s money was spent for these.

“Ayaw na lang lumalabas ni presidente para sa mga social events so kung gusto mo makasama ang presidente, pupunta ka dito, dala-dala mo caterer mo. Walang taxpayer’s money,” Roque said. —NB, GMA News