Robredo takes oath as VP

Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday took her oath of office before two barangay captains.

Robredo was sworn in at the Quezon City Reception House — which will serve as her new office — at 9 a.m., a few minutes ahead of schedule. 

She was joined by her three daughters, Aika, Tricia, and Jillian, with the youngest holding up the Bible. 

Administering the oath was Ronaldo Coner, village chief of Punta Tarawal, the "smallest, farthest, and poorest" barangay in the third district of Camarines Sur, where Robredo served one term in the House of Representatives. 

Coner was accompanied by Regina Celeste San Miguel, who heads Barangay Mariana, where the Reception House is located.

Robredo's inauguration proceeded with a short program that began a few minutes ahead of schedule.

This was witnessed by some 300 guests, composed of supporters, officials of the Liberal Party, and other government officials. 

'Unity across parties'

In her speech, Robredo called for unity across parties for the benefit of those in the "fringes of society."

"Ang mga pangarap ng ating Pangulo at [ang] ating mga plano para sa banda ay nagkakatugma patungo sa iisang hangarin: ang mabigyan ng tunay na kaunlaran ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga napag-iiwanan," she said. "Marami nang naumpisahan, pero marami pa ring kailangang punan. Kaya ang ating panata ay malagpasan ang kahit ano pang hamon."

She added: "Hindi natin hahayaang mapigilan tayo ng anumang balakid upan makapagsilbi at handa tayong makipagtulungan sa lahat."

"Ang tanging paraan para matupad ang hangaring ito para sa ating bansa ay ang sama-samang pagkilos. Naniniwala ako na sa mga panahong tila may mga matitinding hidwaan na nangyayari sa mundong kinagagalawan natin, paigtingin ang ating pagkakaisa, at gawing lakas—hindi hadlang—ang ating pagkakaiba," she went on. 

Robredo further said: "Bukas ang Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo sa lahat—anuman ang katayuan sa buhay, paniniwala, o partido."

The new vice president said her first 100 days in office will be dedicated to going to far-flung barangays in the country to know about the concerns needed to be addressed there, an initiative she started in her district in Camarines Sur during her term as representative. 

After the ceremonies, Robredo greeted her guests, gamely posing for photos, before they went inside the Reception House to partake in a "simple Filipino merienda."

The vice president's inauguration was held separately from that of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who opted to be sworn in at Malacañang. — KG/RSJ, GMA News