Feature: Philippine new president sworn in in simple, frugal rites

Rodrigo Duterte took his oath as the 16th president of the Philippines Thursday, vowing to crack down on criminality and corruption, lift the poor from the mire of poverty and realize peace across the country.

His youngest child held the old Bible of Duterte's mother during the oath-taking administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes.

From his choice of venue for him to be sworn in, to his decision to go it alone without his Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, President Duterte is in the mood to defy past political practices.

DIFFERENT VENUE TO BE SWORN IN

Duterte was inaugurated at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall inside the Presidential Palace of Malacanang, instead at the Quirino Grandstand in the Rizal Park, where presidential inaugurations had been traditionally held.

He was the first to break that tradition since Vice President Carlos Garcia who first assumed presidency through succession following the sudden death of President Ramon Magsaysay.

Garcia took his oath on March 17, 1957, in the Council of State room at the Presidential Palace.

SEPARATE INAUGURATION FROM VICE PRESIDENT

Duterte refused to hold the inauguration together with his Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, who is a member of a different political party, the first time in recent memory that the two top leaders of the country were sworn into office separately.

Since 1986, both leaders have been present at the same historic session: Cory Aquino and Salvador Laurel in 1986; Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada in 1992; Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 1998; Arroyo and Noli de Castro in 2004 and Benigno Aquino and Jejomar Binay in 2010.

While Duterte took his oath in the Presidential Palace of Malacanang, Robredo, who is second only to him in importance and power under the constitution of the Philippines, was sworn in at the Quezon City Executive House in Metro Manila on Thursday morning.

SIMPLE AND FRUGAL

In the run-up to his inauguration, Duterte has stressed his desire for a simple ceremony. According to a statement from the Presidential Palace, the menu for Thursday's ceremonies featured food that showcases the Philippines' culinary heritage.

Durian, which grows in abundance in the Davao region from where the new president sailed, was featured in tartlets, not in its unadulterated pungent form at the ceremonies.

In the toast to the new president, the 627 invited guests of foreign diplomats and lawmakers who were packed into the hall raised glasses filled not with wine but coconut juice. Endit