Kitty Duterte

Veronica "Kitty" Avanceña Duterte (born April 10, 2004) is a Filipino socialite who is the youngest daughter of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and his partner Cielito "Honeylet" Avanceña. She became a recognizable figure on social media during her father's presidency and has occasionally drawn media attention for her outspoken remarks and activities.

On March 11, 2025, Duterte livestreamed and recorded her father's arrest by police authorities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and his transport to Villamor Air Base in Manila, which were used by several news outlets due to the lack of media presence during the arrest.

Early life and education

Veronica Avanceña Duterte was born in San Diego, United States, on April 10, 2004, to then-Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte and then-nurse Cielito "Honeylet" Avanceña. Rodrigo himself had not visited the country since 2000, having expressed disdain for the country since the Evergreen Hotel explosion in Davao City in 2002. Avanceña, who had been working in the U.S., returned to the Philippines with Kitty shortly after the latter's birth.

Duterte studied at Stella Maris Academy in Davao City. Torre, who was explaining flight arrangements for Duterte, said he did not take offense at Kitty’s remarks, noting that he "had seen worse" and understood the heightened emotions of the situation.

In May 2025, Honeylet confirmed that Rodrigo had urged Duterte to both continue her schooling and follow his career path after Kitty had expressed her reluctance to enter politics. Duterte campaigned for several of Rodrigo's endorsed candidates for senator in the 2025 election, citing her father's arrest as the reason for her active campaigning. She later revealed in March that she and her siblings were unable to watch the confirmation of charges against their father due to distress.

Political affiliation and support Duterte is a member of the local party her father founded, the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL). Duterte also supported her half-sister vice president Sara's 2028 presidential bid.

Personal life

Duterte has cited her mother as a major influence and has expressed interest in pursuing careers in business or law. In November 2023, One News reported that Duterte was in a relationship with De La Salle Green Archers guard Evan Nelle. Speculation about the couple's relationship began prior to the start of the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament, and Duterte was later seen attending La Salle games in support of Nelle.

Beginning in 2022, a child named Mira ("Mimi", born 2019) is seen being raised by Duterte's parents. It was later revealed that Mira is the daughter of Duterte's half-nephew, Omar Duterte, with his Japanese former girlfriend. Duterte attributes her tattoo of a rose on her chest to Mira.

A week after her father's arrest in March 2025, several of her private Instagram posts involving her alleged use of marijuana were leaked to the public, with the associated phrase "wake and bake" becoming viral.

Duterte was later confirmed to in a relationship with Vic Singson, the grandson of Chavit Singson and a member of the Ilocos Sur Provincial Board in his capacity as the president of the province's Sangguniang Kabataan Federation. Duterte celebrated her 22nd birthday in a hospital and she was visited by Senator Bong Go.

Citizenship Duterte is a dual American and Filipino citizen, having been born in the United States to Filipino parents. In April 2025, she was seen holding a United States passport while outside the Scheveningen penitentiary in The Hague, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was detained. Responding to criticism online, Duterte maintained that she was a private citizen and did not need to explain her citizenship status, emphasizing that she was also a Filipino citizen.