MANILA, Philippines -Rodrigo Duterte took his oath as the 16th President of the Philippines before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes inside the Rizal Hall of Malacañang at noon on Thursday, June 30.
Garnering 16.6 million votes in the May elections, Duterte is the country’s first President from Mindanao.
His four children, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo, Sebastian and Veronica, joined Duterte as he signed his oath of office.
Duterte, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged that some groups don’t approve of his methods to end criminality. Despite this, Duterte, who is known for his uncompromising campaign against drugs and criminality, assured the public that he would abide the law.
“I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising,” Duterte stressed.
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FULL TEXT: President Duterte's Inaugural Speech
The maverick politician also stressed that change, which was theme of his election campaign, must start in us.
"Change must start with us and in us... We have become our own worst enemies, and we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves,” Duterte said.
In his speech, Duterte also urged all department secretaries and agency heads to reduce requirements and processing time of all applications from submission to the release.
“I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong,” Duterte added.
In terms of international front and community of nations, Duterte said the country will honor treaties and international obligations. Meanwhile, for the domestic front, Duterte is committed to implement all signed peace agreements.
According to Duterte, he was elected to presidency to serve the entire country and not the interest of any person, group or class.
"I serve everyone and not only one...I have no friends to serve. I have no enemies to harm," Duterte said.
Duterte ended his speech encouraging everyone to join him in his crusade for a better country.
Watch President Duterte deliver his inaugural address.
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| Veronica, the President’s youngest child, held the Bible of “Nanay Soleng,” Duterte’s mother, during the oathtaking. Screengrab from Youtube video. |
His four children, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo, Sebastian and Veronica, joined Duterte as he signed his oath of office.
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| President Duterte signs oath of office. Screengrab from Youtube video. |
“I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising,” Duterte stressed.
RELATED STORY
FULL TEXT: President Duterte's Inaugural Speech
The maverick politician also stressed that change, which was theme of his election campaign, must start in us.
"Change must start with us and in us... We have become our own worst enemies, and we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves,” Duterte said.
In his speech, Duterte also urged all department secretaries and agency heads to reduce requirements and processing time of all applications from submission to the release.
“I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong,” Duterte added.
In terms of international front and community of nations, Duterte said the country will honor treaties and international obligations. Meanwhile, for the domestic front, Duterte is committed to implement all signed peace agreements.
According to Duterte, he was elected to presidency to serve the entire country and not the interest of any person, group or class.
"I serve everyone and not only one...I have no friends to serve. I have no enemies to harm," Duterte said.
Duterte ended his speech encouraging everyone to join him in his crusade for a better country.
Watch President Duterte deliver his inaugural address.
--Mini, The Summit Express
