President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took his oath of office, 12nn of June 30 as prescribed by the Constitution, inside the Malacañang Palace. Outgoing President Benigno Aquino did not declare a special holiday on his successor’s oath-taking, unlike all post-Martial Law presidents had, explaining that this was what the new president wanted. While it could have still been done so more Filipinos could watch or come out this day, the inauguration prepared by the team of the new president did not seem like it was one that invites pomp and pageantry nor throngs of adoring public. It was within a hall that held only 500 people. The lunch menu was the staple of ordinary Filipinos: munggo, fried bananas, etc. The President’s attire was a Davao produced barong and a pair of relaxed, light-colored pants.
But those are not the only unique details observed or events that took place. Declaring himself a socialist and a Leftist, President Duterte had other unconventional acts planned and carried out on his first day on the job.
Here are other first-times on President Duterte’s first day as head-of-state.
Prez invites progressives inside Malacañang
The president sent out members of his Presidential Security Group to ask the leaders of groups participating in the then-ongoing rally in Mendiola to come inside the palace and meet him. Breaking rank and clad in rally garb, mostly denims and slippers that does not pass the palace dress code, leaders of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Karapatan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Kabataan Partylist among others walked from Mendiola to the palace to meet with the newly sworn-in president. The activists entered the palace just as the formally-dressed inauguration guests were leaving.
Groups marched from San Andres Bukid and Welcome Rotonda to Mendiola in time for President Duterte’s inauguration to hail quick developments in the peace process with the new administration as well as bring to the president a compendium of the people’s agenda gathered at the National People’s Summit held on June 29 at the University of the Philippines Diliman Film Center. The people’s agenda includes a 15-point program for nationalist and progressive change as well as a more detailed agenda for the first 100 days. (IN PHOTOS: BAYAN led rally welcomes Duterte admin)
The meeting with President Duterte lasted for 40 minutes. In his Facebook account, BAYAN Secretary General Renato Reyes said they “discussed a wide range of issues including contractualization, destructive mining, ancestral lands, land reform, the release of political prisoners on humanitarian grounds, increasing the budget for health services and education.”
The last time progressives were invited to the palace was 15 years ago, when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has just succeeded ousted President Joseph Estrada and was still open to consult with sectors and movers of the EDSA People Power 2.
First cabinet meeting aired live
President Duterte’s first cabinet meeting after he took his oath was televised by the government broadcast outfit and was also aired live over Facebook.
Among his marching orders in the meeting was the banning of online gaming to curb gambling and people put to good use their time and money. He also wanted the government gaming corporation PAGCOR to channel all its earnings for public hospitals and health services. PAGCOR was reported to have earned P 35 billion in 2015 and has always had yearly earnings of not less than P 30 billion. He also directed the Department of Health secretary to go to Cuba and learn about their health services.
The inauguration of the president was also streamed live on Facebook, said to be the first in history.
Prez spends time with poor on first day
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Even before winning the elections, the president said he would rather spend his inauguration with poor people or invite poor people living under the bridge so he can share with them the food prepared for this occasion. He even went on to say he did not want an elegant feast for the rich or for dignitaries for they are already rich or could afford that kind of meal.
“Actually, ito ‘yung unang utos sa akin ni Pangulong Duterte. Sabi niya nais niya na pagkatapos niyang [manumpa] bilang pangulo, makasama niya kayo, tayo, ang mga pinangakuan niya ng pagbabago [Actually, this is the first order given to me by President Duterte. He said he wanted to be with you, us, people to whom he promised change],” shared Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo to the guests of the solidarity dinner.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Pres. Duterte’s running mate in the May elections and who said he was asked to be part of that night’s advance party, spoke briefly and reminded Tondo, Manila residents how their campaign started in Tondo. The president was back in Tondo, Manila on the first day of his administration. He also acknowledged the quick action and preparations made by the DSWD to realize the president’s desire to be with the poor on the day he took his oath.
Prez to open Malacañang to public
Starting his speech in the solidarity dinner, President Duterte said he would open Malacañang Palace to the public for many Filipinos have not even seen or stepped inside the presidential abode. He said he would prioritize allowing students to visit the Palace and ask all other interested to come when most students have had a chance to visit.
“Pag naubos na ‘yung mga estudyante at panahon na ninyong pumunta, magdala lang ho kayo ng kumot at unan at pwede na kayong matulog doon [When all the students have visited and it would be your time to visit, just bring a pillow and a blanket and you could sleep there],” was the president’s invitation.
“Kung buong Maynila po mayaya ko at makapasok po sa Malacañang, pwede ho buong Maynila doon tayo matulog. Kaya lang magtindig na kayo matutulog kay marami ho talaga [If I would be able to invite the whole of Manila, we could sleep there. But we would sleep standing because it would really be too crowded],” he said.
Hotline for complaints
The president also said he has requested from telcos Smart and Globe the number 8888 where the people can text any or all of their complaints.
“Kung kayo ay inabuso, kung kayo ang pinagsamantalahan, kung kayo ay may hindi nagustuhan sa gobyerno, tumawag kayo day and night, at ‘yung mga importanteng problema nakikita ko, aksyunan ko kaagad [If you were abused, if you were taken advantage, if you have any complaints with the government, call [the hotline] day and night, and I would get to see the important problems too and I could act on them],” said the president.
He only asked the people to refrain from making any prank calls or falsifying information.
And at the end of the day, the Philippine National Police reported zero crime rate during the inauguration of the president, an occurrence observed in recent times during the boxing matches of Manny Pacquiao and the height of the Aldib Kalyeserye.
