Images from Rody Duterte, Leni Robredo Facebook pages - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will hold a separate inauguration
- This was disclosed by the camp of Vice President-elect Leni Robredo who said they respect Duterte’s decision
- Duterte plans to take his oath of office in Malacañang while Robredo will be sworn in by the barangay captain of the “smallest, farthest and poorest” barangay in her home province
MANILA, Philippines – Incoming Rodrigo Duterte prefers to hold a separate inauguration, a complete departure from the country’s tradition where the newly-elected president and vice president are normally sworn in together.
In an announcement on Tuesday, June 15, the camp of Vice President-elect Leni Robredo said they were told that Duterte will be holding a separate inauguration for the president-elect.
“While we have been preparing for a joint inauguration, we respect their decision and will begin our own preparations for a simple and modest ceremony,” said a statement from Boyet Dy, head of Robredo’s transition team.
“While we have been preparing for a joint inauguration, we respect their decision and will begin our own preparations for a simple and modest ceremony,” the statement added
Duterte earlier disclosed he wants to take his oath of office in Malacañang to skip the lavish ceremonies that are normally associated with the inauguration of the country’s next Chief Executive.
The former Davao City mayor also promised to deliver his inaugural speech via national television in less than 5 minutes.
“There will only be finger food because it’s nearing noontime, but there will be no eating after. Just before, then I will take my oath of office. Then I will go nationwide on TV and then I will just spell out my governance in five minutes,” Duterte was quoted in an early interview.
On the other hand, Robredo, who came from Duterte’s rival camp – Liberal Party (LP) – said she wants to be sworn in by the barangay captain of the “smallest, farthest and poorest” barangay in her home province.
“The ceremony will be conducted in Metro Manila, where Vice President-elect Leni Robredo wishes to be sworn in by Capt. Ronaldo D. Coner of Brgy. Punta Tarawal, Calabanga, the smallest, farthest and poorest barangay in Camarines Sur,” Dy said.
However, Robredo’s camp did not reveal the exact location where the ceremony will be taking place.
Robredo’s fate remains in limbo after her political organization, LP, failed to submit to the Commission on Election (Comelec) its statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) in time.
Her lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, however, argued, this could not hinder Robredo from assuming her office in June 30 since the SOCE will be submitted before she takes her oath of office. He added that the case was merely a ‘late submission’ and not necessarily ‘non-submission’ as the law states.
Post a Comment