Separate rites to allow Leni to invite more guests – Rody camp

DAVAO CITY – The camp of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday evening said its decision to have a separate inauguration was to allow Vice President-elect Leni Robredo to invite more guests and supporters to celebrate her victory.

“The inauguration will be held at the Malacañang Palace on June 30, 2016. As promised during the campaign period, his inaugural celebration will be simple yet meaningful one consistent with his principles on austerity,” Duterte’s executive assistant Bong Go said in a statement

Go said a simple ceremony would mean least disruption to the public.

According to Go, having a joint inauguration “will not be fair to Leni as the limited slots would restrict her prerogative to invite more guests and supporters as a good number of the slots are to be allotted for members of congress, judiciary and to the diplomatic corps. More so, the remaining limited number of slots are likewise given to family and friends,” he said.

“We believe that Leni Robredo’s family and supporters who worked hard for her deserve also to be present to celebrate her victory. And this can only be possible through a separate inauguration,” he added.

Robredo’s camp on Wednesday said Duterte’s team informed them of their preference to hold a separate inauguration.

Boyet Dy, head of Robredo’s transition office, said they respect the decision of the President-elect’s camp, adding that Robredo will have a “simple and modest” ceremony in Manila.

“The ceremony will be conducted in Metro Manila, where Vice President-elect Leni Robredo wishes to be sworn in by Capt. Ronaldo D. Coner of Brgy. Punta Tarawal, Calabanga, the smallest, farthest and poorest barangay in Camarines Sur,” Dy said.

Duterte previously said he was eyeing a low-key inauguration at the Malacañang Palace instead of a lavish ceremony at the Quirino Grandstand on June 30 with only 150 invited guests to avoid traffic congestion.