Sara Duterte broke with tradition for the swearing-in ceremony, 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 yesterday in the southern city of Davao, her family stronghold where she’s 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.
Sara said she chose to be sworn in early so that her city could witness the ceremony.
She also intends to attend Marcos’ swearing-in rites in 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, 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. — Bloomberg
