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Thursday, June 30, 2022

President Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo and Vice President Vicente Sotto III take their oaths of office today before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesimundo at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, at exactly 12:00 noon.

At 4:00 p.m., at the Quirino Grandstand at the Luneta, Robredo will deliver her Tagalog inaugural speech detailing her vision and program of the government.

Why Tagalog and why Luneta, not Barasoain, where her oath was taken?

"So I can be understood and seen by the masses, especially the common folk, to whom I dedicate my presidency."

The country's 17th president was not relaxed last night, in anticipation of her assumption of the highest position in the land.

"I am nervous and apprehensive of the high expectations of the people, particularly the poor, from my presidency amid the monumental economic problems confronting the nation," he confessed.

She cited problems that have become critical, such as a 13% unemployment rate, double-digit inflation, peso depreciation, acute food shortage in El Nino-stricken Mindanao, and rising criminality.

But Robredo said she will do his best to reverse the odds and win. "The people have chosen me to be their captain ball, and I am now holding the ball. I will do my best to score and win."

"With Tatay Digong (President Duterte) as my coach, and Lolo Erap (Former President Estrada) as my team adviser, I believe we can win even in the global competition," Robredo said.

Robredo begins his day early this morning in meditation at the tomb of her husband, Jessie.

"In memory of my father and in his honor, I will again pledge to serve the people well with dedicated, honest, and clean public service, as I had done in the past," the new President of the Republic of the Philippines, Leni Gerona Robredo, vowed.

http://www.newsflash.org/199806/hl/hl000746.htm

UPDATE ON HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP FIGHT

Manila, June 30, 2022 - Nothing is yet certain about the final leader of the next Congress. In the Senate, it is still a 3-way fight for the Senate Presidency, with Senator-elect Francis Joseph Escudero insisting that he's still in the race.

"It is not yet final, we (Cayetano, Go) still have to talk and discuss the issue next week.

It was Senator Christopher Go who said Pimentel has expressed willingness to settle for the chairmanship of two committees and by doing so, had virtually withdrawn his bid. Pimentel refused to comment about it, saying he did not want to make it appear that he and his rivals were "horse-trading."

Fernan claims to have the support of 21 senators and will try to convince Go to back out for the sake of Senate unity. But Go said he would push for the holding of secret balloting to elect the next Senate President. Secret balloting, Ople said, is the only way the true will of the senators would be reflected and it would also deter outside interference in Senate affairs.

In the House of Representatives, it is a 3-cornered fight as well, with Reps. Lord Velasco and Gloria Arroyo challenge the richest member of Congress, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for the post of Speaker.

A list leaked to newsmen showed that Velasco and Arroyo may coalesce and use the strength of their 95 congressmen-allies. The figure is 30 congressmen short of the required majority to secure the post.

The group of Las Pinas Rep. Manny Villar, which earlier claimed to have the support of more than 150 congressmen, could only come up with 56 and is now scrambling to secure the votes of 67 uncommitted, undecided solons.