Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has defended his granddaughter’s lavish photoshoot after she posed in a £10,000 dress for her coming-of-age ceremony.
Pictures show 17-year-old Isabelle Lovelie Duterte, the daughter of the President’s first son Paulo, in a red ballgown at the presidential palace in the capital, Manila.
But the opulence of the event has sparked anger online amid claims it mirrored the activities of the family of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The late dictator’s wife, Imelda, was known for amassing a vast collection of shoes.
The photo session, which involved a host of make-up artists and stylists, was part of her ‘debut’ party ahead of her 18th birthday and the dress is said to have been made by top designers including Garimon Roferos Couture, based in Dubai.
Pictures show 17-year-old Isabelle Lovelie Duterte (pictured), the daughter of the President’s first son Paulo, posing in a sparkling red ballgown at the presidential palace in the capital, Manila
The photo session, which involved a host of make-up artists and stylists, was part of Isabelle’s ‘debut’ party ahead of her 18th birthday and the dress is said to have been made by top designers including Garimon Roferos Couture, based in Dubai
the opulence of the event has sparked anger online amid claims it mirrored the activities of the family of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The late dictator’s wife, Imelda (centre in 2016), was known for amassing a vast collection of more than 3,000 pairs of shoes
Instagram images posted by the college student’s team also show her in a pink gown posing before the seal of the President and beside the Philippine flag.
A third picture shows her in a floral dress next to a fountain in the Palace’s grounds.
President Duterte has defended the photoshoot, held in early December in the Malacanang palace.
According to Rappler, he said at a birthday party for boxing star Manny Pacquiao: ‘She is my relative. It’s a small matter to use Malacanang. I wasn’t there but even if I were, my granddaughter having her picture taken is just like visitors who go there and take pictures of themselves.’
Durterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said there was ‘nothing wrong’ with Isabelle’s photoshoot.
‘I think his relatives, including his own grandchildren, can have their pictures taken in Malacanang,’ he added.
President Duterte (pictured) has defended the photoshoot, held in early December in the Malacanang palace
‘I don’t think it should be an issue because they should be living in Malacanang but they chose not to do so. They’re like ordinary citizens who can have their pictures taken in Malacañang.’
Isabelle is the daughter of Davao City Vice-Mayor Paolo Duterte –
Rodrigo’s eldest son, Davao City Vice-Mayor Paolo Duterte, is said to have paid for his daughter’s phootshoot.
But the event has sparked anger online, with estimations that her Disney-like red gown cost £10,000 alone.
According to Straits Times, Twitter user Bib Macasaet said: ‘People in [southern Philippines city] Marawi trying to live through the day. Isabelle Duterte at Malacanang Palace, posing in a blood red gown, getting ready to celebrate.
‘The Dictator’s grand daughter lives a lavish life while the poor can barely survive. Just like the Marcoses, they are detached from reality.’