About 500 guests are expected to attend the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, consisting of members of his Cabinet, lawmakers, friends and members of the police and the military, incoming communication secretary Martin Andanar said on Monday.
“’Yung personal na bisita po ni President-elect nasa mga 150 to 190. Kasi siyempre merong mga senador ‘di ba, merong mga miyembro ng Kapulisan, Kongreso, the usual, mga Cabinet officials,” he told reporters in Malacañang Palace.
Due to the limited space at the Palace’s Rizal Hall, Duterte has asked the members of his Cabinet to discourage their spouses from attending the inauguration, Andanar said.
Asked where the new leader will stay, Andanar said they have not discussed this. Duterte has initially said that he would go home to Davao City every day.
Responding to questions whether Duterte is serious on his decision not to speak to the media for six years, Andanar said, “Wala naman siyang sinabi na six years. Wala naman siyang sinabing… Ang sabi yata ni France Noguera is ‘until the end of your term?’ Ang tanong kung meron bang sinabi kung anong term sa inyo.”
“Six years ‘yung presidency, I don’t think na ‘yung Presidente naman ay hindi kayo kakausapin. Kasi kung matatandaan niyo doon sa Cebu ay nakausap naman siya ng GMA, nakausap naman siya ng ABS-CBN,” he pointed out.
On the media’s attendance at the June 30 inauguration, Andanar said all members of the press will be given accreditation.
But for those who cannot get inside the Palace, they can monitor the event from the New Executive Building through a Radio TV Malacañang telecast, he said. PND (as)