Let’s begin with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.
Yes, it was a a gathering of prominent political figures and dignitaries on Sunday’s inauguration of Vice President Sara Duterte in Davao City.
The roster of guests who walked the red carpet at the San Pedro Square also included President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senator Imee Marcos, Sen. Bong Revilla and wife Lani Mercado, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Senators-elect Robin Padilla and Loren Legarda, former Davao del Norte 2nd District representative Antonio “Tony Boy” Floirendo Jr., lawyer Lorenzo ‘Larry’ Gadon, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, former presidential spokesperson and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Also present were officials from the region and other parts of Mindanao including Partylist representative Claudine Bautista-Lim and husband Tracker, Province of Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Mendoza and daughter Representative Samantha Santos.
The oath-taking was administered by Supreme Court Justice Ramon Paul Hernando on a stage set up in the center of the San Pedro Square.
There were no tents installed despite the looming rain as Duterte wanted a 360 degrees view of the crowd and the venue.
The oath-taking commenced with a Holy Mass officiated by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles at the San Pedro Cathedral and beamed on large screens set up at the event venue.
Duterte, who was wearing a green Filipiniana, emerged from the cathedral with her mother Elizabeth Zimmermann and her brother incoming Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte when the mass ended and walked towards the event venue.
The highlight of the event was when Duterte-Carpio hugged her mother and father, President Duterte, after she took her oath. It was the first time that Duterte-Carpio and her father have come together after the election.
It can be recalled that a misunderstanding happened between the President and his daughter last year when Duterte opted to run as Vice President rather than giving in to her father’s request for her to run for the highest post last election.
It was considered a historic day for Dabawenyos as it was the first time that they witnessed a second highest official of the country inaugurated in Davao City.
“Ako po si Inday Sara. A proud Dabawenya. A proud Mindanawon. Hindi ako ang pinakamagaling, o pinakamatalinong tao sa Pilipinas at sa mundo — ngunit walang makakatalo sa tibay ng puso ko bilang isang Filipino,” Duterte said in her inaugural speech.
Some officials in the business sector, the city government of Davao, and celebrities were also present at the activity.
