When news broke that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s camp prefers to hold a separate inauguration for him on June 30, there were different reactions to the president’s plan.
But one thing for sure is that Vice President-elect Leni Robredo did not take this badly. This did not stop a malicious individual from making a meme attributing a quote pulled out of thin air, though.
The Facebook user who posted this meme is likely a supporter of Robredo’s closest rival during the elections, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., judging from the profile photo, hence the possible motive behind spreading the meme.
The meme alleged Robredo to have said, “Wala ako’ng pakialam kung hindi kami mag sabay ni President Duterte ng Inauguration.”
There is absolutely no truth to the statement.
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When Duterte’s camp informed Robredo’s team about the plan for a separate inauguration, the team leader Boyet Dy released a statement.
“We were informed by the team of President-elect Rody Duterte about their preference to hold the inauguration separately. While we have been preparing for a joint inauguration, we respect their decision and will begin our own preparations for a simple and modest ceremony,” Dy said in a statement released on June 15.
Dy also added that Robredo wishes to be sworn into office by Captain Ronaldo D. Coner of the “smallest, farthest and poorest barangay in Camarines Sur,” Barangay Punta Tarawal, Calabanga. Her inauguration will be held in Metro Manila.
On the other hand, Presidential Communications Operations Officer (PCOO) chief Martin Andanar said that Duterte will take his oath at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang. He said that the incoming president is only planning on having 500 guests in the inauguration venue.
Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher “Bong” Go also explained their camp’s decision about the oath-taking.
“We believe that Leni Robredo’s family and supporters who worked hard for her deserve also to be present to celebrate her victory. And this can only be possible through a separate inauguration,” Go said.
“This imposition will not be fair to Leni as the limited slots would restrict her prerogative to invite more guests and supporters, as a good number of the slots are to be allotted for members of Congress, judiciary, and the diplomatic corps. More so, the remaining limited number of slots are likewise given to family and friends, “he added.
As Duterte has said before, he wanted to make his inauguration as least disruptive to the public as possible.
Both Duterte and Robredo are known to lead simple lives. It’s no wonder they are going to stick to the same principles with a simple inauguration, even as they are going to be sworn into the two highest elected positions in the country in separate venues.
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