Marcos Jr. takes oath as Philippines’ 17th President

By Riza Lozada

The Philippines’ 17^th President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. took his oath of office exactly noon of June 30 before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, witnessed by Marcos’ wife and children.

The formal oath-taking was preceded by Senate President Vicente Sottto III reading part of Senate Resolution that officially proclaimed the president and vice president.

The dispositive portion of the resolution stated that candidates Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte received the highest votes for President and Vice President in the last May 9, 2022 national elections.

After the oath taking, Chief Justice Gesmundo congratulated Marcos Jr., and called him Mr. President.

This was followed by Marcos’ inaugural address. He said, “This is a historic moment as this echoes the yearnings of the people for a better future” for every Filipino family.

He added that the huge number of votes he received is a clear mandate from the Filipino people to uphold democracy.

“The votes of the people rejected the policy of division,” Marcos said.

Under his administration, Marcos will continue to advocate for unity by “listening even from the farthest voices because he believes there will be compatibility in these voices.”

President Marcos said he understands the gravity of responsibility that the people has placed on his shoulder.

He said his administration will not give excuses.  One of his goals is to revive the economy and transform it to the fastest growing economy in the region. This can be achieved through radical changes.

The new President also said our nation will pursue peace despite wars happening in other parts of the world. 

Resilience and better adaptability will be his policy in combatting the pandemic.

Pres. Marcos called on the people “not to give up on hope and reconciliation.”

The unity of Filipinos displayed during the pandemic response can be done again, he added.

He said this a fresh chapter in history as he extends his hand to the people to support nation building.

The President said Filipinos can make the nation whole again.

“Never forget that we are Filipinos, one nation, one Republic.”