Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as Philippines president

Nicknamed "The Punisher", Mr Duterte is credited with a dramatic reduction in crime in Davao, but rights groups say it was at the expense of human rights. He and his vice-president, Leni Robredo, will both serve a single six-year term.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as president of the Philippines, after a landslide election victory in May. The controversial former mayor of Davao City, 71, overthrew the political establishment, promising a "bloody war" on crime and action on corruption.

At his inaugural speech he promised to make sweeping changes to the country's political system. "I see the erosion of the people's trust in their country's leaders," he said. "The erosion of faith in our judicial system. The erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people's lives better, safer and healthier."

Nicknamed "The Punisher", Mr Duterte is credited with a dramatic reduction in crime in Davao, but rights groups say it was at the expense of human rights.

Under the constitution, he and his vice-president, Leni Robredo, will both serve a single six-year term.

Rodrigo Duterte revels in his reputation as an outsider and a political maverick .

Mr Duterte's election campaign was littered with obscenities and populist promises but light on details. The country must now wait to see how he delivers on pledges to end corruption, restore the death penalty, and shift to a more federal system of government.

During election campaing, the new president had strong words against Philippines’ bishops and pope Francis, labelled as “corrupted” and “hypocrites”. To date the bishops have chosen to respond with prayer and with targeted messages to certain sections of society, including law enforcers. Is awaited a statement of the Bishops' Conference on the new national leadership.

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• rodrigo duterte
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