Duterte already in Manila ahead of inauguration

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night arrived in Manila from Davao City for his June 30 inauguration.

The aircraft carrying Duterte landed at the Villamor Airbase before 11 p.m.

Duterte left Davao City via a private plane at 9:04 p.m. with his partner Honeylet Avanceña, their 12-year-old daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, and incoming special assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

In an interview with reporters in Davao City before leaving for Manila, Go said Duterte would immediately rest upon his arrival in Manila.

“Kailangan niya magpahinga kasi maaga bukas. Kailangan nandoon siya sa Palasyo at exactly 11 o’clock [in the morning]. Wala namang holiday so baka traffic. Kailangan on time nasa Palasyo,” he said.

Duterte will have a busy day on June 30.

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Duterte is slated to arrive in Malacanang at 10:30 a.m.

He will then meet with President Benigno Aquino III to sign the guest book and for the departure honors.

Duterte will be the last to sign the guest book under the Aquino administration.

Duterte will take his oath at 11:45 a.m. at the Rizal Hall. He will then lead the oath-taking of the Cabinet members.

He will afterwards step out of the Palace for his full military honors as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Duterte will then host a diplomatic reception, which is set to be simpler than the usual Vin d’Honneur.

The 16th President of the Philippines will then hit the ground running and preside over his first Cabinet meeting in the afternoon. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News