Sara Duterte Takes Oath as Philippine Vice President before Marcos inauguration

Sara Duterte will break with tradition for the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday (June 19), opting to take her oath as the Philippines’ next vice-president almost two weeks ahead of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte chose to have her inauguration ceremony in the southern city of Davao, her family stronghold where she is the outgoing mayor.

Her decision runs counter to a decades-old tradition where the two top leaders hold their inaugurations on June 30, the same day they assume their posts.

Duterte said she chose to be sworn in early so that her city can witness the ceremony. She also intends to attend Marcos Jr’s swearing-in rites in capital Manila at the end of the month.

Her decision to hold her own inauguration shows she’s “treading her own path” when it comes to her father and Marcos Jr, said Ramon Beleno, a faculty member at Ateneo de Davao University’s political science department.

“The spotlight is on her, unlike in a joint inauguration where the highlight is the president,” he said.

She is also trying to maintain her connection in Davao, the southern Mindanao island, and “form her own niche” by taking her oath there, Beleno added.

The incoming vice-president garnered 32.2 million votes, or 61.5 per cent of the total, in the May elections, an even bigger share compared with Marcos Jr who also had a landslide win.

Duterte, who was the front runner in early presidential surveys until she decided to run as Marcos Jr’s deputy, will serve as education secretary.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES