Palace says Honeylet Avanceña in NYC on invitation of US first lady

In this photo, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña joins President Rodrigo Duterte in greeting Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during the arrival of Asean leaders at the PICC on April 29, 2017. (Photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Malacañang on Thursday confirmed that Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, partner of President Rodrigo Duterte, went to New York City on the invitation of United States first lady Melania Trump.

“Madame Cielito Avanceña is on a personal trip to NY to attend an event upon the invitation of First Lady of The US, Madame Melania Trump,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in statement.

Abella did not specify what event Avanceña attended.

But in an interview with ABS-CBN, Avanceña said he was in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this week.

Abella had earlier said Duterte would not attend the UNGA because he had to attend to domestic issues.

“The President has stated that he would minimize foreign travels for now to attend to pressing domestic concerns, such as the rehabilitation of Marawi,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano led the Philippines delegation to the UNGA. /atm