Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. takes his oath of office as Philippine President in Manila on June 30, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency on Thursday (June 30), becoming the 17th President of the Philippines. Marcos took his oath of office before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the National Museum of the Philippines in the city of Manila. Watch the live coverage here: In his inaugural address, Marcos repeated calls for “national unity”. He also paid tribute to his late father, ousted president Ferdinand Marcos who ruled the Philippines for two decades. "I once knew a man who saw how little had been achieved since independence. He got it done," Marcos said. "So will it be with his son. You will get no excuses from me." "This is a historic moment for us all," he said. "You picked me to be your servant to enable changes to benefit all. I fully understand the gravity of the responsibility that you have put on my shoulders. I do not take it lightly, but I am ready for the task," he said. Marcos won an election landslide on May 9, garnering 31,629,783 votes or 58.77 percent of the votes. His inauguration on Thursday was attended by his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and their sons Sandro, Simon, and Vincent. Also present were Marcos' mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos; and sisters, Senator Imee Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta; Vice President Sara Duterte; and former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada. Prior to the inauguration, Marcos met with his predecessor, outgoing president Rodrigo Duterte, at Malacañang Palace for the latter's departure honors. After his inaugural rites, Marcos is expected to host a traditional Vin d'honneur for foreign dignitaries, diplomatic corps and other guests. Marcos will also administer the mass oath-taking of his Cabinet Secretaries at Malacañang Palace. He is also set to host an inaugural dinner. The People's Concert, which is part of Marcos' thanksgiving activity, will also be held on Thursday night. The country's leading orchestra Philharmonic Orchestra and world-renowned Cecile Licad were tapped by Marcos to perform in the concert. ICA/Expat Media
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