For what could be the first time in Philippine history, the country's President and Vice President for a while would come from the same family: the Dutertes.
President Duterte pointed out this "queer coincidence" during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC) in Bagac, Bataan, on June 17.
In his speech, the President made this connection after noticing that the leadership in Bataan are all Garcias.
"Bataan 2nd District Congressman Jose Enrique Garcia III; Pusong Pinoy Party-list Congressman Jernie Jett Nisay; Bataan Governor Albert Garcia; Bataan Vice Governor Maria Cristina Garcia; Balanga City Municipal Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia; Dinalupihan Municipal Mayor and Bataan 3rd District Congresswoman-elect Maria Angela Garcia — kanila na lahat (they took everything)," Duterte jested.
"Bilib ako sa iyong liderato, puro Garcia. Sa amin man rin (I'm impressed by your leadership, it's all Garcias. It's the same as ours)," he added.
According to Duterte, for 11 days, the top government seats of the country will be occupied by people from the same family -- he and his daughter Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
"You know there is a queer coincidence in our history, maybe it would be the first time — I don't know, I have yet to look into the archives of our country — but si Inday, my Vice Mayor, would swear sa loyalty niya sa Constitution and to the country ngayong 19 (on the 19th). Bongbong Marcos would take his oath of office on June 30," he said.
"At that time, at that point in time sa history, ang Presidente ako pa. Pero may Vice President na nag-oath of office na. So in about 11 days, ang Presidente ninyo Duterte, ang Vice President ninyo Duterte (I'm still the President, but you already have a new Vice President who would have already taken her oath. So for about 11 days, your President is a Duterte and your Vice President is also a Duterte)," he added.
The President then joked that he would suggest that he and his daughter continue this trend.
"Kaya sabihin ko kay Inday, ituloy na lang natin ito (That's why I'll tell Inday that we should just continue this)," he said.
"Hindi biro lang (I'm just joking). But it's really a queer situation. And well, for one, it would become vignettes of life later on," he added.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will take her oath of office as the country's new Vice President on June 19. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia had said that duly proclaimed election winners can take their oath early, but they could not assume office before noon of June 30.
Article VII Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution likewise dictates that the President and the Vice-President shall begin their six-year term at noon on the 30th day of June following the day of the election. Their term shall end precisely six years later.
Members of the Duterte family served as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City simultaneously. From 2013 to 2016, President Duterte served as the City's mayor, while his vice mayor was his son Paolo. From 2010 to 2013, the Duterte patriarch served as the vice mayor of incoming Vice President Sara.