Marcos To Continue Duterte’s Beneficial Programs

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to continue government programs that benefit the country as he thanked President Duterte for his support.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel over the weekend, Marcos said he had a brief conversation with Duterte during the inauguration of the leader’s daughter, vice president-elect Sara Duterte, in Davao City on June 19.

“I thanked him because somehow he supported Inday Sara and me. I assured him that I will continue his projects that have benefited our country,” Marcos said in Filipino in the video.

Duterte supported the vice presidential bid of his daughter but did not endorse a presidential candidate in the May 2022 elections.

In his Talk to the People early this month, the Chief Executive urged Filipinos to stop quarreling over politics and support the administration of Marcos.

“I hope that everybody (will) come to terms with the reality that we have a new government and I urge Filipinos to rally behind and support the new leaders. We want the next administration (to be) successful,” Duterte said.

“President-elect Marcos would need the cooperation and help of everybody. We must give it to him. That’s democracy. That is how we operate,” he added.

Solemn, traditional oath-taking

Marcos said his oath-taking on June 30 will be “solemn and traditional” and without so much gimmickry.

“Many are asking what will happen during my inauguration? What are the gimmicks (pakulo)? Oh, I can only assure you of one thing – it will be a solemn ceremony,” he said in the video.

“More or less we will keep the event traditional. We will not deviate from the traditions. What is important is that I am with my whole family and that I am with all of you, whether you will watch it live or online,” he added, addressing the viewers of his vlog.

“And I hope that the weather will cooperate as we are in the rainy season already,” the incoming president also quipped.

Marcos is set to take his oath as the country’s 17th President on June 30 at the National Museum of Fine Arts building in Manila.

In his vlog, Marcos highlighted the rich history of the National Museum of Fine Arts, which served as the old legislative building of Congress as well as the former office of Cesar Virata who served as prime minister during the dictatorship of Marcos’ late father and namesake.

The National Museum of Fine Arts was also where three former presidents took their oath – Manuel Quezon, Jose Laurel and Manuel Roxas.

“We are very busy with the preparations for my inauguration on June 30. We chose the National Museum of Fine Arts or National Museum instead of the Quirino Grandstand because there is still a COVID facility there... Also, it (National Museum) has a very rich history,” Marcos said in Filipino.

In the same vlog, Marcos also bared that his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, has already resigned from her law firm, M & Associates, in preparation for her role as first lady.

“It is not only me who is in the middle of transition but also my whole family. My wife, Liza, though it was kind of sad, had to leave her colleagues in the law firm that she had founded. It was bittersweet because I’ve witnessed how she had worked so hard to build that law firm,” Marcos said in Filipino.

“But we have no choice, she is about to become the first lady. So, she has to divest all her interests in that law firm. I ask her forgiveness as I left her with no choice but to leave (her firm)... But as I’ve told her, ‘This is only the beginning of a new chapter,’” Marcos said.

Drop face mask policy?

Meanwhile, toward the end of the video, Marcos thanked all his supporters and reminded them to continue observing health precautions amid the COVID pandemic.

Marcos, however, hinted at dropping the face mask rule if the vaccination rate improves.

“Again, thanks to all of you who continue to support our vlog with me as citizen Bongbong. And I think, in our next meeting (in this vlog), I have already taken my oath as your president,” Marcos said.

“Let us continue being cautious as the threat of COVID is still here. Get vaccinated, get your booster shot, so that we won’t be needi