Sara Duterte pregnant with triplets, remains on leave

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED 1:11 p.m) — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio revealed on Friday she is seven weeks pregnant with triplets.

The mayor, through the City Information Office head Jeffrey Tupas, announced at the City Conference Hall that the reason for her previous absence from duty is her pregnancy.

In a statement, Duterte-Carpio said, "I hope our thanksgiving this year will be happy. And on this happy note, I would also like to share with you the news that I am pregnant and cannot join you in the merrymaking activities."

Sonogram of the triplets carried by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Christine Cudis

She admitted "having a hard time with symptoms as the complications of a multifetal pregnancy."

The presidential daughter assured her constituents that her pregnancy, however, ill not hamper her responsibility in Davao City. She vowed to continue working until the time allowed by the doctors. Although, due to her sensitive condition, she is barred from attending crowded events to lessen the chances of acquiring infections.

"I maybe physically weak but rest assured that I am on top of the situation here in our city," the mayor added.

Tupas also clarified that the mayor is working at home, and is not confined in a hospital.

The triplets, meanwhile, are well, Duterte said.

This would also explain why her physicians at St. Luke's Medical Hospital in Quezon City advised her to rest instead of attending his father and President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address last June 30.

She then filed for a leave from June 1 until July 22 and had his brother Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte as acting city mayor.

The 38-year old Davao mayor is married lawyer Manases Carpio with daughter Sharky, 7 and son Stingray, 3.