 Avanceña has started to participate as consort of President Duterte during the official visit of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and as hostess during the 30th ASEAN Summit.However, then–mayor-elect Duterte declined the offer.Following the filing of newly-elected Davao City mayor Sara Duterte of a 10-day leave of absence until June 22, there were speculations that she would assume the post of First Lady, but she neither denied or confirmed the speculation.