Bongbong Marcos proclaimed president, Sara Duterte vice president

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was proclaimed on Wednesday as the 17th president of the Republic of the Philippines after Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, declared him the winner of the presidential race in Eleksyon 2022.

Congress also proclaimed Marcos' running mate and President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the new vice president.

Marcos, who ran under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and campaigned on a platform of unity, obtained 31,629,783 votes in the official tally for the presidential race.

Duterte won the polls with 32,208,417 votes.

Marcos and Duterte were the first tandem to be elected to the top two elective positions in the country since then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then Senator Noli De Castro were proclaimed winners in 2004.

"The most valuable thing you may receive from a fellow citizen is their vote," the president-elect said.

“And that is why, to have received over 31 million votes from our countrymen is as valuable expression of trust as can be had by anyone in public life. And so for that I thank our people," he added.

"Beyond that, I promise you that we may not be perfect but we will always strive to perfection. Thank you very much,” Marcos said.

Marcos asked for prayers as he said he wanted to do well for the country.

“But also embedded in that vote are the trust and the confidence that they give to you to take them to that aspirational future,” Marcos said.

“So I ask you all, pray for me, wish me well. I want to do well because when a president does well, the country does well. And I want to do well for this country,” he added.

With 58% of the votes, Marcos will be the first president elected by the majority after the EDSA Revolution, which deposed his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Duterte, on the other hand, also got a majority with 61%

Marcos was elected president after dominating the pre-election surveys since the filing of certificates of candidacy in November and  despite facing controversies during the campaign period, such as his family’s tax liabilities and his failure to attend some of the biggest presidential interviews, forums, and even the debates organized by the Commission on Elections.

The canvassing of votes for president and vice president in the recent elections lasted for only two days.

Marcos was accompanied by his wife, Attorney Liza Araneta-Marcos, son Simon, and mother former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

His sisters, Senator Imee Marcos and Irene, were also in attendance. 

Duterte arrived at the Batasang Pambansa past 3 p.m.

She was accompanied by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista.

President Rodrigo Duterte was not in attendance at the proclamation of his daughter as the next vice president.

Promises

Aside from pushing for unity, Marcos promised to lower electricity rates, provide sufficient energy supply, and reduce rice prices to P20 to P30 if he wins the presidency.

The former senator also vowed to continue the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration and prioritize the development of digital infrastructure.

On foreign relations, spokesman Atty. Vic Rodriguez said it would be inclusive under the Marcos administration and that the Philippine interest would always be a priority.

Duterte has been picked by Marcos to lead the Department of Education.

She has accepted the offer and vowed to produce "skilled learners with the mindset to realize their full potential as individuals."

Duterte has promised to be supportive and loyal to Marcos when she was asked what kind of vice president she would be if she won the election.

She also has vowed to boost employment it had been  adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte has said that she had initiated job generation programs and support for pandemic-affected families in Davao City. —AOL/NB, GMA News