MANILA: Former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte took his oath as the 16th President of the Philippines on Thursday with a firm resolve to rid the country of corruption and push for more reforms to improve the lives of Filipinos.
The 71-year-old tough-talking new president is the first head of the country to come from Mindanao, which for decades has been rocked with problems with insurgency, peace and order and the international terror group Abu Sayyaf.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at 12 noon as mandated by the Philippine Constitution.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes administered his oath held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang.
Duterte was joined by his former wife and their three children as well as his common-law spouse and their daughter, Kitty, who held the Bible while her father took his oath.
Former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, now Manila mayor, and other politicians showed up at Duterte’s inauguration signifying their support to the new administration.
His predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino, was given a 21-gun salute as part of the customary send-off.
Duterte stood side-by-side with Aquino while saluting the Philippine flag. The two also engaged in small talk before Duterte walked Aquino to his vehicle.
Aquino, who left the Malacañang compound shortly after 11 a.m., will be returning to his residence in Times St., Quezon City as a private citizen, reported Inquirer.net.
In his speech, Duterte asked the public to help him fight corruption and illegal drugs.
“No leader, however, strong can succeed at anything significance without the cooperation of the people,” he said.
The new president said his primary goal is “to make the people’s lives safer and healthier.”
Duterte will earn a starting month salary of PhP160,924 under grade 33 of the government’s salary schedule. He will be provided with cars, a yacht, helicopters, and planes — Fokker F-28 jet, four Bell 412 helicopters, and one S-70A Blackhawk helicopter for his use.
The Presidential Security Group is tasked to provide security to Duterte and his immediate family.
