Robredo sworn in as Philippines’ 14th vice president

The Philippines’ new vice president took the oath of office on Thursday morning in a ceremony held at the Quezon City Reception House, Metro Manila.

Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo was joined on stage by her children as she took the oath, in which she vowed to defend the Philippine Constitution, implement laws, and be of service to the Filipino people, the local Sun.Star news site reports.

She said that in her first 100 days as vice president she will travel to villages across the country to understand and address people’s needs, while over her six years in office she will focus largely on health, education and people empowerment.

“What brings us together as a nation is far more powerful than what pulls us apart,” she said.

Around 200 guests attended the inaugural ceremony, including celebrities and senators, according to an epa journalist at the scene.

Kris Aquino, sister of outgoing Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, was also in attendance.

Robredo who served as representative of the third district of Camarines Sur, eastern Philippines, from 2013 to 2016 was elected vice president last month after receiving 200,000 more votes than her closest rival, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte will also take office today following his landslide victory in the May 9 elections.