MARCOS TAKES OATH AS 17TH PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

MANILA — Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. was sworn in as the country’s 17th president, completing his clan’s comeback to political power and the presidential palace, 36 years after his father was ousted in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Marcos won the national elections in May by a landslide and with over 31 million votes. He ran on a vague platform to bring unity to Filipinos.

The 64-year-old Marcos took his oath of office before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the National Museum in Manila. Before that, he went to Malacañan and met his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, whose term was marked by a bloody "drug war" and a devastating pandemic.

"Ako si Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. ay taimtim na nanunumpa na tutuparin ko nang buong katapan at sigasig ang aking mga tungkulin bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas at ipagtatanggol ang kanyang Konstitution, ipatutupad ang batas nito, magiging makatarunagan sa bawat tao at itatalaga ang bawat sarili sa paglilingkod sa bansa. Kasiyahan nawa ako ng Diyos," Marcos said.

With Marcos as he took his oath were his wife Liza, and sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent. Sandro is congressman of Ilocos Norte, the position his father was elected to when he returned from exile abroad in 1992.

More than 18,000 police officers, soldiers, coast guard personnel and other force multipliers will be deployed to secure the parameter of the National Museum.

HERE COMES THE SON: BONGBONG DELIVERS ULTIMATE MARCOS REDEMPTION

MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday takes over the Philippine presidency, in what analysts say is the ultimate "redemption" for his family 36 years after an uprising toppled its patriarch.

Marcos, 64, will succeed Rodrigo Duterte after a landslide victory in the May 9 elections with promises to unite Filipinos, tame rising prices, and spur jobs.

"I promise you that we may not be perfect but we will always strive to perfection," Marcos said last month, when Congress proclaimed him the duly elected president.

"I want to do well because when a president does well, the country does well, and I want to do well for this country."

His success at the polls defied his links to his father and namesake Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s 2-decade rule marred by graft and human rights abuses.

Dr. Froilan Calilung of the University of Santo Tomas' political science department said Marcos Jr's presidency could be a "very crucial juncture" for his family.

"This is their redemption... given the fact that there were a lot of negative things that had been heard against the family for the past 36 years," Calilung told ABS-CBN News.

"I think this is the best and most opportune time for them to actually change the landscape of how we understand and know Marcosian politics," he added.

Born in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Sept. 13, 1957, the second child of Marcos Sr. and former beauty queen Imelda Marcos had wanted to be an astronaut and a rockstar when he was young.

But growing up in the Malacañang, Marcos Jr. said, "No one would let me forget that I was my father's son."

"Maliit pa nga ako, sasabihin, 'One day mag-Presidente ka, pabiro, pabiro," he said in a CNN Philippines interview that aired in April.

Marcos Jr. served as Ilocos representative, governor, and senator.

Marcos secured some 31 million votes, more than double Robredo's tally, making him the first majority president after the EDSA Revolution.

DUTERTE LEAVES MALACAÑANG WITH DEPARTURE HONORS

President Rodrigo Duterte was given traditional departure honors on Thursday, as he capped his 6-year term of office.

His Cabinet members chanted "Duterte" as they shook hands with the outgoing leader, who was accompanied by his successor President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.

Duterte skipped a traditional car ride that would have brought him and Marcos Jr. to the latter's inauguration venue at the National Museum.

The 77-year-old Duterte will settle in his hometown Davao City, where he was mayor for several years.

A group of businessmen organized a homecoming celebration for Duterte, but it was still unclear if he would attend.

PRESIDENT DUTERTE SPENDS FINAL DAY MEETING FOREIGN OFFICIALS

MANILA — President Duterte spent his last full day as chief executive meeting with key officials of foreign governments and his political allies in PDP-Laban.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayasi were scheduled to call on Duterte at the Villamor Air Base yesterday.

They are in the country to attend the inauguration of Duterte’s successor, president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Details of the topics discussed during the meetings were not immediately available.

Duterte was also expected to meet with fellow members of PDP-Laban during a thanksgiving event in Makati City.

Duterte is the chairman of the party, which supported the candidacy of Marcos Jr. The President, however, did not support any presidential candidate, saying it might raise suspicions that he was using state resources to promote politicians.

Details of Duterte’s activities after the inauguration ceremony have not been released. In his recent speeches, the outgoing President said he would return to his hometown Davao City after retiring from politics.

He has also announced a plan to teach criminal law procedure at a local police academy in Davao City.

ROBREDO GETS ‘MIXED EMOTIONS’ ON LAST DAY AS VP

MANILA – Leni Robredo had "mixed emotions" on Wednesday, expressing her gratitude for being given the chance to serve as vice president over the past six years.

Wednesday, June 29, was her last day in office.

"Pasasalamat din na biniyayaan ako ng mga kasama sa trabaho na matitino at mahuhusay na lingkod bayan. Sila yung dahilan kung bakit malungkot din ang araw na ito," Robredo said in a Facebook post.

"Mahirap isipin na maghihiwahiwalay na kami pagkatapos ng 6 na taon na magkakasama kaming naglingkod sa gitna ng napakahirap na political landscape."

Robredo had a tough tenure as vice president, enduring verbal attacks from President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies since 2016.

However, being given the chance to serve her fellow Filipino made her and her office firm, she said.

"Kaya siguro naging matibay ang aming samahan dahil sa gitna ng kahirapan, we were able to render the kind of governance we feel every Filipino deserves. Kumbaga, we gave it our all. Walang sinayang na oras at pagkakataon."

Robredo shared a video of her last day in the Office of the Vice President.

Robredo, the face of the opposition for the last six years, lost to President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in the May 2022 presidential elections.

She will be replaced by Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of the outgoing Chief Executive.

LIST: DUTERTE’S QUOTABLE QUOTES

MANILA — Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has been known for his trademark tough talk, with some of his pronouncements raising eyebrows from various sectors.

As Duterte steps down from office, here are 10 quotes that reflected some of his major policies.

1. "Hitler massacred 3 million Jews. There are 3 million drug addicts. I'll be happy to slaughter them."

In September 2016, just 3 months into his term, Duterte said he would be happy to slaughter 3 million drug addicts, in reference to the war on drugs, even comparing his actions to German dictator Adolf Hitler.

2. "I am a president of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody... P***** i** mo, mumurahin kita sa forum na iyan."

Duterte also raised eyebrows when he cursed former US President Barack Obama in September 2016, calling him a "son of a w****" and telling the latter not to question him about extra-judicial killings when they meet at a regional summit in Laos.

This was after Washington also expressed concern about a reported surge in drug-related killings since Duterte was sworn into office.

3. "Just because you are a journalist you are exempted from assassination… Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong.”

A month before he stepped into office, Duterte was asked how his then-incoming administration would solve media killings.

The then-President-elect replied that the freedom of the press, which is enshrined in the Constitution, cannot protect a journalist from being killed, especially if he was a "son of a b****."

4. “If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan [prangkisa ng ABS-CBN], I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out."

In December 2019, Duterte told ABS-CBN Corp. that he will not renew the network's broadcast franchise.

On May 5, 2020, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered the network to stop broadcasting after its franchise had expired. Congress would later deny its renewal application 2 months later.

Despite Duterte's public threats against the network, Malacañang had maintained that it would remain neutral amid the franchise renewal controversy.

5. "I love China, it has helped us a bit. But it behooves upon us to ask, is it right for a country to claim the whole ocean?"

Duterte was known for his friendly pivot towards China, amid enduring tensions over the West Philippine Sea.

Even while he was being convinced to raise Manila's victory in a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, he said he could not do so because the country could not afford to go to war.

6. "Actually sa usapang bugoy, sabihin ko sa ‘yo, bigay mo sa akin, sabihin ko, ‘P***** *** papel lang ‘yan, itatapon ko ‘yan sa wastebasket.'"

In May 2021, Duterte said that he did not honor the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in the Philippines' favor over the South China Sea.

He said the ruling was just a piece of "paper" that meant nothing, and that he would rather throw it in a wastebasket.

7. "Don't get me wrong. There is a crisis being faced in this country. There is a national emergency. Kung ayaw mong magpabakuna, ipaaresto kita."

Duterte's "tough talk" persisted even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also said those who didn't want to get vaccinated should just leave the country and go somewhere else.

Malacañang later downplayed his statements "as a joke."

8. "Who is this stupid God? Estupido talaga itong p***** i** kung ganun. You created some ... something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work."

In 2018, Duterte took on God Himself after his then-recent tirades on the Catholic Church.

The President, a Catholic, had begun by saying that he found it foolish for God to create something "perfect" and then allow the first humans, Adam and Eve, to ruin it by bringing sin into existence because of the forbidden fruit.

9. “Sinasabi ko I can clean it in six months. Then after that, I realized na nagkamali talaga ako … Maybe it’s hubris. It was campaign time. Payabangan naman ’yang kampanya."

During the 2016 campaign season, then-Mayor Duterte said that he would solve the country's drug problem within 3 to 6 months.

But last April, 6 years later, he realized that making such promise was a mistake motivated by "hubris" brought the hype of the campaign.

10. "The war against illegal drugs will not be sidelined. Instead, it will be as relentless as chilling, if you will, as the day it began."

During Duterte's third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2018, the Drug War had been going on for 2 years already.

But even then, he assured that the his anti-drug policy will continue to be "relentless," despite countless criticisms from rights groups.

FINANCE VETERAN BENJAMIN DIOKNO PRIMED TO HOLD FORT AS FINANCE CHIEF

MANILA - Incoming Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno is no stranger to challenges, having served as central bank chief and budget secretary in previous administrations.

The 74-year-old economist served as Budget Undersecretary from 1985 to 1991, Budget Secretary from 1998 to 2001 under the term of former President Joseph Estrada and also from 2016 to 2019.

He has served as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor since 2019.

SEASONED ECONOMIST FELIPE MEDALLA TAKING HELM OF BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS

MANILA - Seasoned economist Felipe Medalla will take the helm of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)>

Medalla has been a member of the BSP's Monetary Board since July 2011.

He has also served as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) from 1998 to 2001 during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.

He will replace and serve the remaining term of incumbent BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno who has been designated as Finance secretary.

Medalla holds a PhD in economics. He served as Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics as well as Vice President for Planning and Finance of the UP System.

The central bank said the seasoned economist has written papers on the effects of economic policies on poverty and problems in the measurement of Philippine economic growth, among others.

The Marcos administration faces the challenge of keeping the country's economy expanding while dealing with soaring inflation and debt.

The Philippines' debt-to-GDP is at 63.5 percent while inflation hit 5.4 percent in April.

BSP'S AMENAH PANGANDAMAN IS NEXT BUDGET SECRETARY

MANILA - Incumbent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor Amenah Pangandaman will head the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under the administration of President-elect Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.

Pangandaman is also currently the Chief of Staff to the BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, Executive Offices Coordinator and Concurrency Head of the Strategic Communication and Advocacy office. She joined the BSP in 2019.

Pangandaman said she would support Marcos' administration to bring forth inclusive economic recovery and in achieving the goal of making the Philippines an upper-middle-income country.

The new administration faces economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the country's ballooning debt and elevated inflation.

“The pandemic was a challenge like no other in the way it stretched our resources and set us back on our goals as a nation. My team and I vow to work with the rest of the economic team and continue the policies and reforms that we have long fought for,” Pangandaman said.

Prior to her stint at the central bank, Pangandaman was previously a DBM undersecretary during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. She managed the Department Liaison Office and the Budget Technical Bureau.

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HONEY LACUNA TAKES OATH AS NEW MANILA MAYOR

MANILA — Honey Lacuna-Pangan on Wednesday was officially sworn into office as Manila's new mayor. She is also the first female leader of the capital city.

Clad in a stylish black and white Filipiniana gown, Lacuna was inaugurated at the Manila Cathedral, with her oath administered by her "boss" outgoing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso.

“Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, maraming, maraming salamat sa iyo. Boss, umasa ka, hinding hindi ko po kayo bibiguin,” she said.

A teary-eyed Lacuna also dedicated her new post to her father, former Manila Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna Sr., who personally attended her oath-taking ceremony despite his physical condition.

“Daddy, higit sa lahat, ito ay para sa iyo. Promise, I will make you very proud,” she said.

“Dahil sa iyo, naging vice mayor din ako. Dahil sa iyo, ako’y nagsikap na matuldukan na ang matagal nang kasabihan na ang mga Lacuna ay pang-Vice Mayor lang. Sana kahit man lang sa isang saglit, kahit ngayong araw lang ay maging malinaw sa iyong isip na mayroon ka nang anak na mayor," she added.

Lacuna said she is ready to work, use the city’s funds well and continue projects focusing on health, peace, and security.

“Handang-handa na po nating pangasiwaan ang lahat ng mga programa, proyekto, serbisyo at gawain ng ating pamahalaang lunsod. Paiiralin natin ang lahat ng mga batas at ordinansa na tumutugma sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng ating bayan,” she said.

She also requested Manileños for unity and cooperation as she enters her new office.

Aside from Lacuna, Vice Mayor-elect Yul Servo Nieto was also sworn in.

ARJO ATAYDE TAKES OATH AS NEW QC LAWMAKER

MANILA – Kapamilya actor Arjo Atayde has taken his oath as a first-time congressman of Quezon City.

Actress Ria Atayde shared his brother’s oath-taking ceremony on Wednesday, where she was seen holding the bible while Arjo was sworn into office.

In her caption, Ria assured her older brother of her continuous support as he fulfilled his public service duty.

“It’s officially official. Congratulations Cong @arjoatayde @lodicongarjoatayde! Will literally be beside you every step of the way and already so proud of what you’ve done even before being elected… can’t wait to see what else you’ll do. Love you,” she said.

Also present in the snaps Ria uploaded were their other brother as well as their father, Art Atayde.

Arjo topped the race for representative of the 1st congressional district of Quezon City, ahead of re-electionist Rep. Onyx Crisologo and entrepreneur Marcus Dee.

SPORTS

TNT DEF. NORTHPORT, 117-112 (PBA 2022) JUNE 29

TNT Tropang GIGA defeated NorthPort Batang Pier, 117-112 to grab their sixth win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum .

Mikey Williams led the Tropang GIGA with 27 points (8/15 fg, 5/10 3pts, 6/7 ft) and 7 rebounds for TNT's fourth straight win. RR Pogoy with another solid game of 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Jayson Castro with an all-around game of 17 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

The Scores:

TNT 117 – M. Williams 27, Pogoy 22, Erram 17, Castro 17, Alejandro 12, Khobuntin 9, Heruela 7, K. Williams 2, Marcelo 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Cruz 0, Banal 0.

NORTHPORT 112 – Malonzo 27, Sumang 24, Calma 16, Ferrer 14, Balanza 10, Ayaay 7, Santos 6, Bolick 5, Javier 2, Dela Cruz Jr 1, Taha 0.

Quarters: 26-30, 55-55, 85-78, 117-112.

SAN MIGUEL DEF. RAIN OR SHINE, 99-93 (PBA 2022) JUNE 29

San Miguel Beermen defeated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 99-93 to grab their fifth win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum

Six SMB players finished in double figures with CJ Perez leading the way with 21 points (8/16 fg) along with 8 rebounds and 1 assist. Marcio Lassiter with a solid game of 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while June Mar Fajardo finished with an all-around performance of 10 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks while Rodney Brondial and Jericho Cruz added 16 and 14 points, respectively.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 99 – Perez 21, Lassiter 16, Brondial 16, Cruz 14, Enciso 12, Fajardo 10, Faundo 4, Pessumal 3, Herndon 2, Zamar 1, Canete 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 93 – Ponferada 20, Nambatac 18, Torres 16, Caracut 11, Nieto 8, Ildefonso 6, Norwood 5, Santillan 5, Asistio 2, Demusis 2, Belga 0.

Quarters: 28-22, 49-45, 73-70, 99-93.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.06

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If you find yourself constantly trying to prove your worth to someone, you have already forgotten your value. – Unknown