In her inaugural and first official speech on Sunday (June 19), she said one of the most important lessons she has learned as she navigated life is that the Filipino should commit to heart the priorities of
God, country, and family in overcoming difficulties and achieve aspirations as a nation.
Up to 20,000 individuals attended Duterte’s inauguration and oath taking held at the San Pedro
Square.
Her speech, which depicts her life as testimony of God’s will, also stressed on a public servant’s commitment to perform duties for God, country, and family.
Being a medical student-turned-lawyer, Duterte said her life is “a testament to the power of God” as
she was swayed to a career in governance and public service.
She also acknowledged the Filipino supporters for the avalanche of votes which led her to a landslide win during the May 9 elections.
“The voice of 32.2 million Filipinos was loud and clear with the message to serve our motherland. And this message has been reiterated in my oath: to consecrate myself to the service of the nation,” Sara said.
“There is a God. A God whose will transcends the desires of our hearts, one whose will directs us to the way that we might not have imagined — but a way that consecrates ourselves every day to help our fellowmen overcome the difficulties they face in their lives, to change lives, to save lives,” she added.
As her inauguration was held during the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, she said she hopes that the national hero’s memory will light up the fire for Filipinos to become patriots.
“Magkasama sana tayong bumangon bawat araw kasabay ang nag-aalab na pangako sa ating mga puso na mahal natin at patuloy nating mamahalin ang Pilipinas hangga’t tayo ay nabubuhay,” Duterte
said.
Duterte also acknowledged the celebration of Fathers’ Day and thanked fathers for making sure that another person is given the best of everything.
According to her, a strong, loving, happy family sets down all the basic foundations essential in the development and growth of a child strong enough to face the struggles of today’s children rifled with issues such as poverty, broken families, abandonment issues, gender confusion and discrimination,
drugs, and more.
“We can never go wrong if we are a people dedicated to honoring the will of God, to serving our
country and our fellowmen, and protecting the integrity of our families and the future of our children,”
Duterte said.
The vice president-elect ended her inaugural speech with the usual line she used during her
campaign, her being a proud Dabawenya and Mindanawon, and the strength of her heart as a
Filipino.
“Ako po si Inday Sara. A proud Dabawenya. A proud Mindanawon. Hindi ako ang pinakamagaling, o pinakamatalinong tao sa Pilipinas at sa mundo — ngunit walang makakatalo sa tibay ng puso ko bilang isang Filipino,” Duterte said.
The event was the first inauguration of a vice president held in Davao City. Her father, former mayor and outgoing president Rodrigo Duterte, took his oath in Malacañang in 2016.
The historic event was attended by Sara’s first family, husband Lawyer Manases Carpio, children Sharkie, Stingray and Stonefish, mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, and her father and outgoing
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and brother, incoming Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
Incoming President and running mate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also attended the event with wife lawyer Lisa Araneta-Marcos, son Ilocos Representative Sandro Marcos, and sister Senator Imee Marcos.
Former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, along with UniTeam senators and senatoriables Loren Legarda, Herbert Bautista, Harry Roque, Rodante Marcoleta,
lawyer Larry Gadon were also present in the event.