Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Two barangay leaders will swear in the second highest official of the land on her inauguration on June 30.
Vice President-elect Leni Robredo will be taking her oath of office before Ronaldo Coner, the Barangay Chairman of the “smallest, farthest and poorest barangay” of the third district of her home province Camarines Sur, and Regina Celeste San Miguel from Barangay Mariana, where the Quezon City Reception House is located.
The Reception House is going to be Robredo’s office for the next six years, and for that reason, she has decided to take her oath as the country’s next Vice President there, said Boyet Dy, Robredo’s chief of staff.
A pavilion that was previously the swimming pool area of the old “Boracay Mansion,” is where the stage will be set up for the inaugural ceremony. The mansion took its moniker from the estate’s swimming pool, which was built to look like a white sand beach.
There will be seats around the stage but there will be none reserved for VIPs and other guests. Dy said the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.
Only 300 people will be accommodated because of limited space, according to Dy. He said representatives from various groups are in the priority guest list, including women, farmers, fisher folks, and those from the labor sector.
In the afternoon, Robredo will hold a thanksgiving party and celebrate with supporters at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
Chairwoman surprised
San Miguel she said was surprised when she was chosen as one of the two people who will administer the oath to Robredo.
“Ang alam ko the (chairman from the) poor barangay (in) Bicol is going to be the one. Then they came to me and said I might be needed,” San Miguel said.
She added that she tried to hide her excitement at first but she was really happy that she was chosen.
San Miguel has met Robredo twice. The first time during the campaign, and recently when the Vice President-elect visited the Reception House.
Separate inaugurations
Robredo and Rodrigo Duterte missed the chance to meet during the Congressional proclamation, which the President-elect ignored. It seems they are going to miss another opportunity because of their separate inaugurations.
Also read: Duterte, Robredo to hold separate inaugurations
Robredo and Duterte have yet to schedule a get-together. Just as they prepared for Robredo’s inauguration, Dy said the incoming Vice President continues to take the cue from decisions of the President-elect. He said Robredo remains open for talks with the incoming chief executive.
“Sa aking pagkaalam wala pang anumang pormal na nagiging pag-uusap tungkol sa pagkikita ng ating Pangulo at Pangalawang Pangulo pero kami po sa kampo at si VP-elect Robredo ay bukas naman po sa mga pag-uusap na maaaring makatulong at kailangang gawin para po magawa ang mga kailangang gawin kapag upo sa puwesto,” Dy said.
[Translation: As far as I know, there are no formal talks about a meeting between the incoming President and Vice President. But VP-elect Robredo and we in her camp are open to any talks on what needs to be done once they take office.]
