Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte absent from his own proclamation ceremony by Congress

Front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte clenches his fist during a campaign sortie. Pic: AP

30th May 2016 

PRESIDENT-ELECT Rodrigo Duterte was officially proclaimed the 16th president of the Philippines on Monday, but snubbed the session at Congress to run “errands” in Davao City instead.

Duterte will succeed outgoing president Benigno Aquino, who steps down next month after six years in office. Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, better known as Leni Robredo, was proclaimed the 14th vice-president in the same session.

However, Duterte announced last week that he would be absent from the proceedings, instead choosing to tie up loose strings in Davao City, where he has been mayor for over 22 years.

Robredo: I hope to work well with Duterte https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt https://t.co/GJN7ClGYEo

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) 30 May 2016

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Duterte a no-show at proclamation http://www.cnn.ph 

6:15 AM - 30 May 2016

The Philippines’ new hard-talking president-elect won the May 9 elections by a landslide, claiming over 40 percent of 44 million votes due to a campaign that promised to reduce crime in the country by drastic measures.

Duterte has already announced a raft of changes he plans to make when he comes into power next month, the latest being a bizarre announcement to change his working hours from 8am to 5pm to 1pm to midnight instead.

SEE ALSO: Philippines: Duterte mulls granting amnesty to all communist prisoners

According to the Straits Times, Duterte told a press conference that began around midnight last night: “I don’t care about your 8am-5pm schedule. I’ll be sleeping by then. How can you make me work?”

He also reportedly wishes to remain in Davao City until he gets used to life in the presidential residences, saying he would rather take commercial flights to and from the capital of Manila every day than move.

“My bed is here. My room is here. My home is my comfort zone. It’s important that I can sleep and take a shower comfortably,” he said, in explanation.

Duterte is expected to announce his cabinet on Tuesday. Robredo, who is an ally of Aquino, told reporters after the proclamation that she shares similarities with Duterte and hopes they will work well together.