DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 August) – Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is expecting triplets.
In her message read by City Information Office chief Jefry Tupas, Duterte-Carpio confirmed she is seven weeks pregnant, the reason why she could not be present during the Kadayawan 2016 festivities upon advice by her doctor to avoid going to crowded places to prevent acquiring infections.
“We are expecting triplets and they are doing well on their 7th week. The human body is made to carry just one baby and I am experiencing threefold all the pregnancy symptoms that a woman goes through,” she said.
This being her second pregnancy, Duterte-Carpio, 38, said she is experiencing the symptoms and the complications of a multifetal pregnancy but vowed to continue working as mayor until advised by her doctor to take a rest.
“I maybe physically weak but rest assured that I am on top of the situation here in our city,” she said.
The mayor has two children, an adopted daughter nicknamed “Sharky” and son Mateo Lucas “Stingray” Carpio.
Duterte-Carpio, a lawyer, went into private practice after her first term as mayor from 2010 to 2013 ended, and until she was elected again as mayor in 2016 May elections.
Last July 25, the presidential daughter did not make it to her father’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) after she was advised to take a complete rest for two days by her doctor at the St. Luke’s Hospital. But the reason for her hospitalization was not disclosed then.
The mayor was supposed to represent her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and her two brothers Vice Mayor Paolo and Sebastian who could not make it to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s SONA. She was represented by her husband lawyer Manases Carpio.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andar said the President was delighted with the news that his second child with ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman is bearing triplets.
He said the President hopes that she will be able to see through the pregnancy “smoothly and well.”
“Mayor Sara’s pregnancy serves as a source of inspiration for the Chief Executive to roll up his sleeves and work double time in his fight against crimes and drugs. He hopes to leave a legacy of a Philippines safe and secure from crimes and drugs to future generation of Filipinos.We offer our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Mayor and husband, lawyer Manases Carpio,” Andanar said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)