GMA, 37 other elected officials to take oath before Duterte

MANILA – Outgoing President Rodrigo R. Duterte administered the oath of office to 38 elected and re-elected local officials including Pampanga Second District Representative-elect Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Monday.

Photos from the Presidential Photographers Division released to reporters on Tuesday showed Arroyo, the country’s former president, taking her oath before Duterte and chatting with him.

This is Arroyo’s fourth non-consecutive term as Pampanga 2nd District Representative, having served from 2010 to 2013, 2013 to 2016, and 2016 to 2019.

She became the country’s first female House Speaker in 2018 after the oustoer of then-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Other May 9 election winners who took their oaths are Caloocan City Rep.-elect Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon-Uy, Valenzuela City Rep. Eric M. Martinez, Palawan Rep.-elect Jose C. Alvarez, Davao de Oro Rep. Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga, Camarines Sur Rep.-elect Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, Leyte Rep.-elect Richard Frank I. Gomez, Davao de Oro Gov.-elect Dorothy P. Montejo-Gonzaga, Isabela Gov. Rodolfo T. Albano III, Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Q. Dimaporo, Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan, and Romblon Gov. Jose R. Riano.

Duterte also administered the oath of Batanes Gov. Marilou H. Cayco, Benguet Gov. Melchor D. Diclas, Aklan Gov.-elect Jose Enrique M. Miraflores, Rizal Gov.-elect Nina Ricci A. Ynares, Quirino Gov.-elect Dakila Carlo E. Cua, Western Samar Gov.-elect Sharee Ann T. Tan, Bataan Gov.-elect Jose Enrique S. Garcia III, Zamboanga Sibugay Gov.-elect Dulce Ann K. Hofer, Maguindanao Gov. Mariam S. Mangudadatu, Leyte Board Member-elect Vincent Rama, Mawab Mayor Ruperto S. Gonzaga III, new Bataan Mayor Gerald Ford N. Balbin, Maco Mayor-elect Arthur Carlos Voltaire R. Rimando, Pantukan Mayor-elect Leonel D.O. Ceniza.

Mabini Mayor-elect Emerson Luego, Nabunturan Mayor-elect Myrocel C. Balili, Montevista Mayor-elect Cyrex L. Basalo, Maragusan Mayor-elect Angelito J. Cabalquinto, San Isidro Mayor-elect Maria Angelica T. Go, Pola Mayor-elect Jennifer M. Cruz, Ormoc City Mayor-elect Lucy Marie T. Gomez, Pagadian City Councilor-elect Ma. Alicia Elena Ariosa, Pagadian City Councilor-elect Monique Shaira To, Pagadian City Councilor-elect Patrisha Kaye Asugas, Pagadian City Councilor-elect Jun Bajamunde, and Pagadian City Councilor-elect Ariel Jeanjaquet Lim Jr. also took their oath before the President.

Meanwhile, Duterte also had a discussion with Ambassador of the Republic of the Russian Federation to the Philippines Marat Pavlov during a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañang Palace.

Malacañang has yet to release details about discussion between Duterte and the Russian envoy.

Duterte will step down from office by noon of June 30. He will be succeeded by President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.