By Ryan Louis Mantilla
 
 
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. officially took his oath as the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines on Thursday, marking their family’s successful ascension to power 36 years after their patriarch was ousted through the People Power revolution.
 
Marcos, the only son and namesake of late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., was inaugurated at the National Museum Grounds, succeeding former President Rodrigo Duterte. He took his oath before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.
 
He was joined by his running mate Vice President Sara Duterte, along with his family, including First Lady Liza Araneta, former first lady Imelda Marcos, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, Senator Imee Marcos, and Irene Araneta.
 
Marcos donned a Pepito Albert barong tagalog, which is said to be designed after the Spanish colonial period’s military uniform.
 
Marcos won by a landslide in the 2022 presidential race with a platform to bring unity to Filipinos, obtaining over 31 million votes. His rival, the lone female 2022 presidential candidate and former vice president Leni Robredo, obtained 15 millions votes.
 
“The people have spoken and it is resounding. When my call for unity started to resonate with you, it did so because it echoed your yearnings, mirrored your sentiments, and expressed your hopes for family, for country, and for a better future,” Marcos said in his inaugural speech.
 
Marcos also said that he is ready for the responsibilities of president of the country.
 
“I fully understand the gravity of the responsibility that you’ve put on my shoulders. I do not take it lightly but I am ready for the task.  I will need your help, I want to rely on it,” he said.
 
“Your dreams are mine. Pangarap niyo ay pangarap ko.How can we make them come true? How can we do it together? But I will take it as far as anyone with the same faith and commitment can as if it depended entirely on himself,” he stressed.
 
Both Marcos and Duterte were proclaimed winners by houses of the Congress on May 25.