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Aquino bids Malacañang farewell
Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III left Malacañang for good on Thursday morning after a brief meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
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New Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (right) stands on the dais as outgoing President Benigno Aquino III reviews the troops during inauguration ceremony June 30 at Malacanang Palace grounds in Manila, Philippines. Duterte becomes the 16th President of the Philippine Republic. (AP/Bullit Marquez)
There’s no turning back now.
Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III left Malacañang for good on Thursday morning after a brief meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Aquino arrived at around 10:25 a.m., followed shortly by Duterte. The two leaders then proceeded to the President’s Hall for a meeting that lasted around 30 minutes.
After the encounter, Duterte accompanied Aquino for the latter’s departure honors.
They walked on the red carpet together, from the staircase near the President’s Hall and out into the Palace grounds.
Also with them were outgoing Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and incoming Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said it is a “symbolic gesture of a peaceful turnover.”
Aquino was given a 21-gun salute as part of the customary send-off. The two leaders stood side-by-side while saluting the Philippine flag.
They also engaged in small talk before Duterte walked Aquino to his vehicle.
Aquino, who left the Malacañang compound shortly after 11 a.m., will be returning to his residence in Times St., Quezon City as a private citizen.
