MANILA, Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte from Davao City on Thursday took his oath of office yesterday as the 16th president of the Philippines at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

Duterte took his oath after former President Benigno Aquino III was given departure honors at the Palace grounds.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes administered Duterte’s oath at Malacañang’s Rizal Ceremonial Hall, which was attended by 627 guests.

Senate President Franklin Drilon read a resolution of the joint houses of Congress proclaiming Duterte and Leni Robredo as the “duly elected president and vice president of the Philippines” at the start of the ceremony.

In his inaugural address, Duterte listed what he considers the ills of society: Corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government; criminality in the streets; the rampant sale of illegal drugs; and the breakdown of law and order.

He also said the erosion of trust in government, tainted with corruption, has to be restored.

“We have to listen to the murmurings of the people, feel their pulse, supply their needs, fortify their faith and trust in us,” Duterte said.

Apparently addressing criticisms that he will espouse dictatorship once president, Duterte said he is aware of his post’s boundaries.

“I know the limits of the power of the president. I know what is legal and what is not,” he said.

Duterte is the second president to take his oath at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall after former President Ferdinand Marcos, who took his oath there on Feb. 25, 1986.

Duterte arrived in Manila from Davao City on Wednesday night and stayed overnight in an undisclosed hotel at Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

Robredo earlier took her oath of office separately at the Reception House in Quezon City.