MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang released the invitation of US First Lady Melania Trump for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, to attend a luncheon in New York.

The text of the invitation reads: “Mrs Melania Trump requests the pleasure of your company at a luncheon on the occasion of the seventy-second United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at twelve-thirty o’ clock.” 

The Office of the President gave a copy of this invitation to reporters on Tuesday, September 26, after Avanceña drew flak for her recent US trip, which coincided with the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

Duterte himself was not at the UNGA; instead, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano led the Philippine delegation to the high-level diplomatic meeting.

Avanceña is not officially the country’s First Lady, but as the common-law wife of the Chief Executive she has attended to duties attached to the title, such as accompanying Duterte on foreign trips and in welcoming dignitaries. (READ: The evolution of Duterte’s First Lady: Honeylet Avanceña) – Rappler.com