MANILA — Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Thursday took his oath as the country’s 17th president, marking his clan’s return to political power and the presidential palace, 36 years after his father was ousted in the 1986 People Power Revolution.
With over 31 million votes, Marcos won the national elections in May.
At the National Museum in Manila, Marcos, 64, took his oath of office before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Prior to it, he traveled to Malacañang and spoke with his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte did not endorse Marcos, but has subsequently urged Filipinos to support the new government.
“Ako si Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. ay taimtim na nanunumpa na tutuparin ko nang buong katapan at sigasig ang aking mga tungkulin bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas at ipagtatanggol ang kanyang Konstitution, ipatutupad ang batas nito, magiging makatarunagan sa bawat tao at itatalaga ang bawat sarili sa paglilingkod sa bansa. Kasiyahan nawa ako ng Diyos,” Marcos said.
With Marcos as he took his oath were his wife Liza, and sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent. Sandro is congressman of Ilocos Norte, the position his father was elected to when he returned from exile abroad in 1992.
Marcos’ disqualification and cancellation of certificate of candidacy cases were dismissed by the Supreme Court days before his inauguration. His camp previously stated that the ceremony would be “traditional, solemn, and basic.”
Over 18,000 police officers, soldiers, coast guard personnel and other force multipliers will be deployed to secure the parameter of the National Museum.
Marcos administration has declared combating inflation, boosting economic growth, and increasing food production its top priority.
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