P-Noy to get departure honors

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino will be given departure honors before he bows out of office as the spotlight moves to president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who will assume office as the country’s 16th president tomorrow noon.

Aquino will have a one-on-one meeting with Duterte before the final departure honors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Palace grounds, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said yesterday.

“He will fulfill his duty as (outgoing) President based on tradition,” Coloma said.

“After that, he will proceed to his car to leave the office that he occupied for six years,” Coloma added.

The Aquino administration’s transition team headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. appointed Ambassadors Marciano Paynor Jr. and Celia Anna Feria, chief of presidential protocol, to be the point persons for the inauguration.

Aquino earlier said he was excited to go back home to Times street in Quezon City.

Instead of staying in the Palace, Aquino lived at Bahay Pangarap with his personal assistants and a German shepherd during his term.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, meanwhile, lauded Aquino for leaving a stronger economy and nation for his successor.

“We thank P-Noy for leading our country the past six years – for serving as an example of integrity for those who served and will serve in government,” Angara said.

He said Aquino showed that he cared for the poor by increasing government spending on social services such as education and health care.

Angara said Aquino was able to restore investor confidence in the Philippines.

No selfies, photobombers

Selfies will not be allowed during the inauguration of Duterte at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall, the head of the Palace inaugural committee said.

“No selfies. In fact, we will advise everyone to refrain from taking photos during the ceremonies in keeping with the request of the incoming president to make it meaningful,” Paynor said.

“No photobombers. Everyone will know exactly where he or she is supposed to be,” he added.

Duterte insisted on having a simple inauguration.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Paynor said Duterte was offered three options – traditional, simpler and simplest – for the inauguration.

“Simplicity I think from his point of view is doing away with the traditional ceremonies such as military parade so this time, it will just be in the Palace. The inauguration will be a two-hour event,” Paynor said.

He said around 620 guests would be accommodated at the Rizal Hall. 

Members of the diplomatic corps, incoming Cabinet secretaries and Duterte’s family and closest friends have been invited to the inauguration.

Paynor said spouses of the members of the diplomatic corps were not invited because of limited space.

“He wanted his inauguration to be simple, meaningful but elegant,” Paynor said.

“A presidential inauguration can be elegant even in simplicity,” he added.

Not a holiday

The inauguration of Duterte as the country’s 16th president tomorrow will be a regular working day.

Coloma earlier said the President has yet to decide whether Duterte’s inauguration will be a special non-working holiday.

To avoid traffic jams in the vicinity of Malacañang, Paynor said only diplomats would be allowed to bring their cars.

Other guests will be asked to proceed to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where they can park their vehicles. Busses will take the guests to Malacañang.

Breakfast will be prepared for the guests at the PICC as the inauguration ceremonies might be finished before 2 p.m.

Duterte will take his oath at noon. After delivering his speech, he will swear in members of his Cabinet.

Duterte’s favorite song will be rendered by his favorite singer prior to the inauguration, Paynor said.

Speech rehearsal

Duterte, who is used to giving spontaneous speeches, reportedly practiced delivering his inaugural speech using a teleprompter at the Malacañang of the South yesterday.

The teleprompter, rostrum and microphone were reportedly shipped to Davao City for the rehearsal.

Duterte’s speech was written by outgoing city administrator Melchor Quitain.

Kris to attend Leni inauguration 

Meanwhile, actress and TV host Kris Aquino will attend vice president-elect Leni Robredo’s inauguration to represent the presidential family, a spokesperson for Robredo confirmed yesterday.

Georgina Hernandez said the other Aquino sisters – Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abelleda and Viel Dee – had been invited but had to skip the inauguration for the turnover rites that President Aquino will attend on the same day.

“The Aquino sisters were invited and Kris will represent the family,” Hernandez said in a statement.

“They gave up their slots for other guests but have confirmed to attend the thanksgiving party,” she added.

The Aquino sisters campaigned for Robredo in the May elections. Kris was Robredo’s top contributor, donating P31.8 million to her campaign kitty.

Around 300 people have been invited to Robredo’s inauguration, which will be held at the Quezon City Reception House, the new office of the vice president, in New Manila from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Hernandez said they have invited Robredo’s runningmate Manuel Roxas II and his family to attend the ceremony.

Roxas has yet to confirm his attendance as of yesterday afternoon.

Robredo will also attend a thanksgiving party organized by her supporters at the Quezon City Memorial Circle at 5 p.m.

A majority of the guests expected at the event are members of marginalized sectors, including fisherfolk, farmers and representatives from women’s groups. – With Pia Lee Brago, Helen Flores, Marvin Sy, Edith Regalado