Duterte: Given another life, I'd still marry Elizabeth

Given another life, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said that he would still walk to the altar with former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman. Duterte, in his birthday message to his former wife, said he found love with Zimmerman.

"Given another chance, another life, I would still marry Elizabeth. Because that is love," Duterte said in a message quoted by Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas in a public Instagram post.

Tupas, in consecutive Facebook posts, said the President also gave Zimmerman a bouquet of flowers for the latter's 70th birthday. The former couple also shared a dance.

The President also serenaded Zimmerman with his favorite song, "Ikaw", and shared a kiss on stage before family members and close friends who attended the intimate birthday celebration.

Duterte has three kids with Zimmerman - former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo, Davao City Mayor Sara, and Sebastian.

Though separated for years, Duterte has always kept a close and friendly relationship with Zimmerman. Duterte is now with common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña and their daughter Veronica.

Duterte and Zimmerman separated in July 1988 after the latter filed a petition to nullify their marriage. The court approved her petition, ending a 27-year relationship.

It was reported that the petition was granted following a psychological assessment on Duterte more than 15 years ago, which said that the President had an "Antisocial Narcissistic Personality Disorder."

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was quoted saying that the final court decision was handed down at least 15 years ago and that there is no bad blood now between her parents.