MANILA, Philippines The team of our 16th President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfilled

its promise to serve simple fare following his inauguration on Thursday, but how it
turned out was not what we expected.
Present during his inauguration ceremony were the two previous Philippine
Presidents, Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Sitting beside them was
House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President
Franklin M. Drillon. Members of the Diplomatic Corps were also present.
After the singing of the National Anthem, the Ecumenical Invocation were led by
different religious leaders: a Catholic Bishop, a Muslim Imam Khalib and an
Ifugao/Igorot Religious Leader, though their names or religious persuasions or sects
were not mentioned. This Ecumenical Invocations were supposedly not part of the
program because of President Dutertes personal persuasions that he did not
believe in religion though he believe in God.
Fredie ANAK Aguilar rendered his short original composition about the President,
the expectations of the people under his leadership, enjoining the people for the real
change in themselves for the betterment of our nation.
Senate President Franklin Drillon read Resolution No. 1 of both houses proclaiming
the duly elected President and Vice President (Maria Leonor G. Robredo) of the
Philippines. The oath taking was administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice
Bienvenido L. Reyes in the presence of his children, his eldest son, Sarah,
Sebastian and youngest daughter Veronica Duterte. The bible where the President
placed his left hand was held by Veronica Duterte. It is worthwhile to note that
according to the Philippine Constitution, the oath taking of the President was
administered at exactly Twelve oclock noontime (12:00 NN)..
Noted also was the military bands rendition of instrumental song (title not known) at
the same time that a twenty-one gun salute was done at the Malacanang grounds
before the President delivered his speech. The inaugural address of President
Duterte was the shortest for seven (7) minutes among the Philippine Presidents after
Corazon Aquinos which was four (4) minutes done at Club Filipino.

The Philippine Flag was placed on the Presidents right side and the Presidents
Flag Emblem on his left. Highlight of this proceeding was when the video was
replayed, a figure believed to be of Jesus Christ appeared on the Philippine Flag.
The President addressed everyone that needed to hear a message from him,
among them government officials, the business sector, the diplomatic corps, and the
ordinary people. He was talking about what the world wanted to hear --- the rule of
law, dispatch in business, lack of corruption, and justice for all. In the end of his
speech he remind everybody that he was elected as the President to serve the
entire country and not the interest of any person, any group or any class. He, being
the president, will serve not for anyone but everyone.
.The newly assembled cabinet members took their oath also after the President.
Full military honors were also given him as the new Commander In-Chief of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was done outside the Malacanang grounds.
President Duterte insisted on keeping the event and everything involved simple
from the ceremony itself to the reception. With more than 7,000 islands, each
Philippine region has some delicious dishes of its own. But for this particular
celebration, President Duterte chose few dishes, prepared by caterer Via Mare.
1.

5.
Turon

2.

Rice cakes
6.

Pandesal with kesong puti and

meat filling
3.

Monggo soup with smoked fish

and alugbati
7.

Durian tart

Fried saba

4.
Vigan longganisa

Other highlights of this event were:

1. No Media Fan Fare media was prevent to over inside the Palace. In Davao
City, Pesident Duterte when he was a mayor then never wanted th media
cover his deeds.

2. Filipino Food and Davao Staples the highlight of the inauguration was
acutally the menu. President Duterter personally requested to have simple
food and beverages in the menu
3. Bus as Service for the Guests the guests were actually picked from the
PICC grounds to take them to the Palace. This is to have a minimum
disruption to Manila Traffic considering that there were 600 guests that
attended the inauguration.
4. Mindanao based Designers - the President chose to dress simply in his
oath taking and sought Mindanao-based designer Boni Adaza. The ecrucolored barong that he wore was actually made from pia jusi containing
patterns that are from the Manobo tribe.
5. He shows his love for his country and the Filipinos he is considered the
first ever president to express his love and loyalty for his country whenever
he is given the chance to do it.
He revealed that his motivation in running for presidency is his love for his
country and his countrymen.