Duterte’s Inauguration Guest List Jumped to 627

Davao City — From a target of 500 guests for the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, the number jumped to 627 as of Wednesday afternoon.

This was bared by incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, who however said the number would still be trimmed down to 500 by the organizing committee.

“The committee will decide who will be the guests,” Andanar told reporters in a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

With less than ten days to go to the June 30 inauguration, Andanar said there still be changes.

He also announced that the organizing committee has decided to approve access for nine national broadcasting companies at the new executive building in Malacañang.

Other media outfits can get accreditation from the PCOO office.

Incoming Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella also announced that Facebook Asia – Singapore Chief offered livestream coverage on Facebook in order for Overseas Filipino Workers and other Filipinos abroad can watch.

Andanar said the committee is still refining other details such as Duterte’s speech, which is currently managed by two persons.

Andanar also confirmed Duterte is very keen on using the teleprompter in reading his speech. But he noted that Duterte “has a tendency of not following the script and goes extemporaneous on some issues.”

“The President still has full editorial control of the speech,” Andanar said.

Andanar said the entire event would still be simple with no expensive foods on the table.

“The President is a simple man, do not expect any champagne, caviar or blue cheese,” Andanar said.

Members of the first family are expected to attend the inauguration.

On Monday, Duterte’s daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said they would be leaving the city on the 28th to attend the inauguration.

Sara will be accompanied by his elder brother Paolo, younger brother Sebastian and their mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, their spouses and children.

After his inauguration, the president will administer the mass oathtaking of the cabinet members then meet the diplomatic corps.

Duterte is expected to arrive in Malacañang at 10:30 a.m. The inauguration will start 12 noon. (PNA) RMA/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR AND FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA/LDP