SC chief Gesmundo to administer Marcos’ oath-taking at National Museum

Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will administer the oath of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on June 30, incoming Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez said Friday.

"We shall abide by the tradition, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Hon. Alexander Gesmundo," Rodriguez said in a text message to GMA News’ Jonathan Andal when asked who will administer Marcos’ oathtaking.

Rodriguez said the oath-taking would be held outdoors so that Filipinos who gave the former senator overwhelming support will witness the event.

However, Gesmundo has not received any request yet to administer Marcos' oath, according to SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka.

Earlier, the Marcos camp disclosed that the incoming president would take his oath at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Incoming Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Secretary Zenaida Angping said the inaugural committee members already inspected the area and found it to be a "suitable venue." 

The Quirino Grandstand was earlier considered as the venue for Marcos' oathtaking, but Senator Imee Marcos, the president-elect's sister, said there was some level of concern over the area as a quarantine and isolation facility for COVID-19 patients are set up there.

Angping said the committee's ocular inspection team has observed that there were still several COVID-19 field hospitals in the area.

The National Museum of the Philippines, formerly known as the Old Legislative Building, also served as the venue for the inauguration of former Presidents Manuel Quezon, Jose Laurel, and Manuel Roxas. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News