Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio attended the proclamation ceremony at the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City all by herself on Wednesday.
The National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) proclaimed Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Duterte-Carpio as the duly-elected president and vice president, respectively, in the recently-concluded national and local elections on Wednesday.
Duterte-Carpio, who came from Antique where she visited a supporter who committed suicide after being bullied by those who disagreed with him on a political issue, arrived at the Batasan Pambansa donning a barong and her signature Mindanao hand-woven fabric pants, without her family during the ceremony.
This sparked an interest in the Manila-based media as traditionally, a newly elected president and vice president is accompanied by family members when they go up to the rostrum to receive the certificate of canvass and be proclaimed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House.
However, Duterte-Carpio reportedly failed to answer the media on this matter.
Meanwhile, Malacañang congratulated Marcos and Duterte-Carpio for their proclamation as President-elect and Vice President-elect, respectively.
“The Office of the President shall ensure a peaceful, orderly, and smooth transfer of powers to the President-elect as we extend all the necessary support and assistance to various transition activities,” said Secretary Martin M. Andanar, Presidential Communications Secretary and acting Presidential Spokesperson in a statement.
Andanar said as both leaders are about to embark on the responsibilities and challenges of their respective offices, the Palace reiterates its call to the people to stand behind the newly elected leaders.
On the other hand, Marcos has appointed former Davao del Norte Second District Representative Anton Lagdameo as Special Assistant to the President (SAP).
Marcos has earlier announced the members of his Cabinet: Duterte-Carpio to head the Department of Education (DepEd); Atty. Vic Rodriguez as Executive Secretary; Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla for the Department of Justice (DOJ); Susan “Toots” Ople for the Department of Migrant Workers; Trixie Angeles as head for the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO); Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Bienvenido Laguesma for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Arsenio Balisacan for the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA0; Benajmin Diokno for the Department of Finance (DOF), and Manuel “Manny” Bonoan for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
