‘Everything will be simple’ in Duterte’s inauguration, says Paynor

President-elect Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte (Photo: Duterte’s official Facebook page)

MANILA – In an interview with ANC’s “Talkback with Tina Monson Palma,” Palace Inaugural Committee head Marciano Paynor disclosed that President-elect Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s inauguration will be ‘simple’ yet ‘elegant’ and meaningful.

The inaugural committee presented three choices of venues for the said ceremony: Rizal Hall, Palace grounds, and Quirino Grandstand.

Not wanting to cause heavy traffic or trouble motorists and commuters, Duterte opted to hold the inauguration at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang.  His venue of choice, however, can only accommodate around 600 guests.

“We asked all the guests to proceed to PICC (Philippine International Convention Center). That’s where we’ll do the security check, and that’s where we’ll provide them with ample breakfast because after the inaugural ceremonies, that will already be 1:30 or 2:00 pm,” Paynor said, adding that only diplomats were allowed to bring their own vehicles to Malacañang while others were asked to assemble in PICC where buses going to the venue were provided.

With the two-hour event starting at noon, Duterte will be taking his oath, giving his speech, and then swearing in all his appointed Cabinet officials. Doing away with the traditional ceremonies, the simple program will still have a ‘detailed sequence of events’ and orchestrated movement.

“Everything will be simple. Everything is orchestrated in such a way that people will not be tentative, hesitating,” Paynor shared. “The elegance there is, the movements are well executed.”

“Everyone will know exactly where he or she is supposed to be. Everything is timed, everything has a purpose. If you don’t have a purpose, you’re not supposed to be there,” he added.

Following the inauguration was the diplomatic reception, where representatives of various heads of state will be conveying to the president their respective greetings and well wishes.