Debut photo shoot at Palace goes viral
DAVAO CITY – Not every 18-year-old gets to have Malacañang as backdrop for her coming-out party.
But Isabelle Duterte is not just any debutante; the attractive teen who has entered show business is the eldest granddaughter of the President of the republic.
Isabelle, the eldest daughter of President Duterte’s son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo with his first wife, Lovelie Sangkola Sumera, held her predebut pictorial at Malacañang.
Her photographs, showing her in a red gown as well as a light beige dress, among others, have gone viral.
Her grandfather and father have yet to comment on the photo shoot last Thursday, especially since the Palace is not a typical venue for a debutante’s pictorial.
Paolo is now married to January Navares, a member of the Davao City Council.
Isabelle’s show biz career is managed by actress Annabelle Rama.
Is there a problem if the President’s granddaughter is photographed at Malacañang
with the presidential seal as backdrop?
This question cropped up yesterday after her pre-debut pictorial.
“There is nothing wrong if the President’s grandchild poses for pictures inside Malacañang,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
He added the President has opted to stay at the guesthouse, Bahay Pagbabago, instead of the palace.
“The President is entitled by law to live in Malacañang but opted not to. So his relatives, especially his own (granddaughter), can have their photos taken in Malacañang,” Roque said.
Asked if the use of the presidential seal violated any law or executive order, Roque thinks there are no violations.
Executive Order 310 prescribes the design and use of the coat-of-arms, seal and flag of the president and vice president of the Philippines, and for other purposes.
It provides that the symbols are exclusively meant for the use of the President and Vice President of the Philippines and no other officials.
Signed by former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo, the EO said it is in the national interest to promulgate regulations that enhance the effective use of these symbols and the proper respect due the same.
Isabelle’s social media posts went viral while celebrity stylists and make-up artists also posted their own pictures of the photo shoot last Dec. 14.