Duterte takes oath as Philippines 16th president

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as the 16th president of the Republic of the Philippines.

In a televised ceremony, the 71-year-old seven-term mayor of the southern city of Davao became the first ever president from the southern island of Mindanao in modern Philippines history.

Duterte, who wore a barong Tagalog -- a traditional semi-sheer shirt woven from pineapple fiber -- took his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes at exactly 12 p.m. (0500GMT) according to the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines at a ceremonial hall in Malacanang Palace in the capital Manila -- the home of the country's parliament

The inauguration for the winner of the May 9 elections was witnessed by former presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada (re-elected mayor of Manila), and members of the diplomatic corps, incoming Cabinet members and the country's lawmakers.

After his oath taking, Duterte signed his oath of office and delivered his inaugural address then administered the mass oath taking of his Cabinet.

Full military honors were given to the new chief executive at around 1 p.m. before he held his first official Cabinet meeting around 2 p.m.

During his campaign period, Duterte repeatedly vowed to curb corruption and criminality within three to six months of his term, despite tremendous opposition.

Among the immediate policies he wants implemented are nationwide curfews for children, a stringent anti-illegal drugs campaign and a crackdown on crime.

In his inaugural speech before 627 guests Thursday, Duterte vowed to fortify Filipinos’ faith in government.

"I was elected to serve. I serve everyone and not only one,” he underlined, citing the need to fortify the faith of Filipinos in government to win back their trust.

“We have to listen to the people and fortify their faith. Erosion of trust and faith in government -- that is the real problem that confronts us. Erosion of faith in our judicial leaders and erosion of capacity in our public servants to make people safer and healthier,” the president said.

Duterte reiterated his promise to end criminality and corruption in government.

“Crimes have to be stopped by all means that the law allows."

While many disagree with his methods of fighting crime, he said the government needs to do everything to win back the trust of the people.

“The urgent problems of the country are corruption, criminality, and the rampant sale of illegal [drugs],” he said.

Duterte added that he will give the specifics of his economic and political policies in “due time” but some require immediate action that cannot wait until tomorrow.

The Liberal Party’s victorious candidate for vice president, Leni Robredo, was also inaugurated Thursday in a separate location at the Quezon City Reception House.