DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte released a statement Friday, August 19, explaining she could not join in the Kadayawan Festival celebration because she is pregnant with triplets.
Davao City broke out in applause as the confirmation was released through social media that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is seven weeks pregnant with triplets.
“We are expecting triplets and they are doing well on their seventh 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.
The mayor, through the City Information Office (CIO) head Jefry Tupas, on Friday, bared at the City Conference Hall that the reason for her previous absence from duty is her pregnancy.
In a statement, Duterte-Carpio said, "I hope our thanksgiving this year will be happy. And on this happy note, I would also like to share with you the news that I am pregnant and cannot join you in the merrymaking activities."
She admitted "having a hard time with symptoms as the complications of a multifetal pregnancy."
The triplets are in good condition as cited by the mayor and assured her pregnancy will not hamper her responsibility in Davao City as she vowed to continue working until the time allowed by the doctors.
Her physician had advised her to “avoid crowded places to lessen the chances of acquiring infections.”
Despite the complications of her multifetal pregnancy, she assured that she will continue to fulfill her job as the city mayor.
“I may be physically weak but rest assured that I am on top of the situation here in the city,” she said.
Tupas also clarified that the mayor is working at home, and is not confined in a hospital.
This would also explain why her physicians at St. Luke's Medical Hospital in Quezon City advised her to rest instead of attending his father President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address last June 30.
She was supposed to be the representative of the Zimmerman-Dutertes and thus she flew to Manila just before the Sona.
She failed to attend as she landed in the hospital instead for “a rest”. She then filed for a leave from June 1 until July 22 and had his brother Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte as acting city mayor.
The 38-year-old Davao mayor is married to lawyer Manases Carpio with daughter Sharky, seven, and son Stingray, three.
President Rodrigo Duterte was elated by the announcement of his daughter, a Palace official said.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the mayor’s pregnancy inspired the President to work “double time” in his fight against crimes and drugs in the country.
“The President is delighted with the news of his daughter’s pregnancy. He is also hopeful that she will able to see through the pregnancy smoothly and well,” Andanar said.
"He is also hopeful that she will see through the pregnancy smoothly and well," he added.
Duterte has repeatedly mentioned in his previous speeches his fondness of children and has since dedicated the drug war for them.
“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,” Andanar added.
It was also when Duterte-Carpio was mayor of the city when she became pregnant with her son Stingray after years of trying. (Jo Ann Sablad/With Ruth Abbey Gita/Sunnex/With Christine Joice C. Cudis ,SunStar Davao)