Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (R) exchanges a fist bump with President Rodrigo Duterte (L) during his oath-taking.
MANILA, Philippines — Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco has taken his oath as House Speaker before President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.
Duterte administered the oath-taking ceremony on Monday, Nov. 8, at the Malacañan Palace.
In photos released by Malacañang on Tuesday, Velasco was accompanied by his family during the ceremony, among them his wife Rowena, his father, Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr., and mother, Torrijos Mayor Lorna Velasco.
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco takes oath as House Speaker before President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan Palace on Monday, Nov. 8. Photos from Malacañang.
“I am deeply honored to be sworn in by President Duterte who I admire a lot and have high regard for. He is also one of the persons to whom I am greatly indebted,” Velasco said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I assure the President that he can rely on Congress to help him fulfill his promises to our people before his term ends in 2022.
Likewise present during the ceremony is former presidential aide Senator Christopher Bong Go and other lawmakers.
Velasco assumed the speakership last Oct. 13, ousting former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.