Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines’ 16th President Inauguration
Duterte taking his oath joined by his children (from left to right) Veronica, Sebastian, Sara and Paolo. Photo source: http://media.philstar.com/
After winning the election by a landslide last May 9th, President – elect Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte took his oath at 11:45 am Thursday, June 30 as the new and 16th President of the Philippines at the Malacanang Palace. A total of 627 guests were invited including incoming cabinet members and family of the new President. Before the oath taking ceremony, Duterte paid a brief courtesy call to the former president, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and send him off via departure honours for the outgoing President.
In his speech, President Duterte addressed the problems of the country, including the rampant sale of drugs, criminality of the streets by stating “I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal.” He also took notice of the corruption in the government and swore to take action by addressing all the department secretaries by reminding them about the rules – “all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules in government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong.” He also asks the Filipino people to join him in his quest to have a better Philippines “The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest.”
There has been no word yet where President Duterte will stay after his first day but he has expressed in the past that he prefers to stay in his home in Davao.
Read full speech here LINK (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/793344/full-text-president-rodrigo-duterte-inauguration-speech)
Watch full speech here:
