Elizabeth says she may ask to be seated separately from Honeylet

DAVAO CITY - The former wife of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said she may request that she and her children be seated separately from Cielito 'Honeylet' Avanceña, the current partner of the incoming chief executive, during the presidential inauguration.

Elizabeth Zimmerman refused to comment on how she will deal with Avanceña if they cross paths during Duterte’s inauguration in Malacanang on June 30.

“I cannot answer that but maybe I will ask somebody from the PMS [Presidential Management Staff] that we sit separately with my children and my grandchildren so they could sit also separately,” Zimmerman told reporters at the sidelines of a photo exhibit on Duterte's early days as a politician.

“I’m there [inauguration] for my children, because if I’m not there, maybe my children will not attend. So I’m there for my children.”

Duterte and Zimmerman separated in July 1988.

Zimmerman filed a petition to nullify their marriage and the court approved her petition two years later, ending their 27-year civil marriage. Their church marriage, however, is still valid.

READ: Duterte: It's better not to have a first lady

Duterte and Zimmerman have three children: Davao City Mayor-elect Sara Duterte, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and new heartthrob Sebastian Duterte.

Duterte has a 12-year-old daughter with Avanceña named Veronica or Kitty.

READ: Honeylet Avancena, Duterte's lady love