Roundup: Duterte takes oath as Philippine president, vows to fight crime, corruption

Rodrigo Duterte took his oath of office as the Philippines' 16th president on Thursday, vowing to deliver on his promise to wage war against rampant crimes and corruption, and restore faith of the Filipinos in government.

"I am here. Why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation," Duterte, 71, said in his first speech as president of this country of more than 100 million people.

He sought the support of the Philippine people.

"No leader, however, strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve."

"Erosion of faith and trust in government - that is the real problem that confronts us," he said.

Indeed, he said "ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit."

Duterte assured his critics that he will respect and uphold the rule of law.

"I know that there those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality, the sale and use of illegal drugs and corruption. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal," said the former Davao City mayor.

But he warned the fight would be "relentless and sustained."

"I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising," he said.

Duterte won the May 9 presidential election with 16,601,997 votes, a lead of almost 7 million over the second-placer Manuel Roxas.

Again, he said that his caring administration would pursue real change.

"But the change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us," he said.

Duterte was cryptic in his foreign policy. "On the international front and community of nations, let me reiterate that the Republic of the Philippines will honour treaties and international obligations."

On the peace process, Duterte said his administration would pursue inclusivity and was "committed to implementing all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms."

Political Scientist Richard Heydarian of the De La Salle University described Duterte's speech as "uncharacteristically subdued, (and) thus very reassuring."

"We saw a Duterte who means business but is caring, who cares about the ordinary folks but is also assuring big business about sanctity of contract, regulatory predictability, and red tape reduction," Heydarian said.

Earl Parreno of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms told Xinhua that one of Duterte's biggest challenges is how to manage the people's expectations.

"I have high hopes in his presidency but I also recognize that there are very high risks," he said. "My hope is anchored on his sincerity and his bias in favor of the poor."

"He raised the bar of expectations really high: can he really implement his anti-crime and anti-corruption policies programs in so short a time? Can he shift to to federalism? Will the masses feel these changes? How is he going to deliver these changes that he promised to the masses. These are the challenges that he needs to address," Parreno said.

A man of few words and a man of action, Parreno said Duterte "makes things possible through action, through implementation."

Indeed, political science professor Benito Lim described Duterte's speech as "simple but direct and from the heart."

"I think it was brief but I think he was able to present clearly the kind of path that he wants to take in running this country," Lim said.

Duterte convened his cabinet after the hot-taking ceremony at the Malacanang presidential palace.

Former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada were among those who attended the rites. Duterte specifically thanked Ramos for helping him win the presidency.

Duterte, who ruled Davao City as mayor for 22 years with iron fist, is a tough-talking disciplinarian who goes around town on a motorcycle carrying a gun.

He is the first president coming from Mindanao in southern Philippines.

Hours before Duterte took his oath of office, Leni Robredo, 52, was also sworn into office as the country's 14th vice president in a separate ceremony.

"During these times of conflict, unity is most important for our nation. We may come from different walks of life or different advocacies, but our dreams are the same: that each Filipino will live a dignified, prosperous life," Robredo said in her inaugural speech. Endit