Vice president-elect Leni Robredo is proclaimed by Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. at the House of Representatives. (INQUIRER)
Manila — The Philippine Congress yesterday proclaimed crime-busting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as president-elect and Rep. Leni Robredo as vice president-elect.
Duterte did not attend the ceremony at the House of Representatives, telling reporters earlier he shuns such ceremonial proclamations. He has stayed in southern Davao city, where ambassadors, well-wishers and potential Cabinet members have met him, since the May 9 elections.
Robredo’s three daughters joined her on stage for the brief ceremony. The House Speaker and Senate President raised her hands to proclaim her victory as legislators applauded.
“There’s a tinge of nervousness,” Robredo told reporters earlier. “But maybe it’s more of excitement that I’m being given a rare chance to make a difference.”
Monday’s proclamation cements the stunning political rise of Duterte, 71, who won on an audacious promise to eradicate crime and corruption within six months as president. The pledge resonated among many crime-weary Filipinos, although police officials have said it is impossible to accomplish, noting that crime continues to hound Davao city, where the president-elect has served as mayor on and off for more than 22 years.