Former President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his appeal for the public to unite anew, urging Filipinos to rally behind the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Duterte made this remark moments before leaving Malacañang for the last time as the sitting President.
In a video message shared by former Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Duterte enjoined the public to support the new administration.
"Let us give all our support to the new administration. Tulungan natin sila. Tulungan natin si Marcos (Let us help them. Let us help Marcos)," he said -- his final words as the country's President.
Duterte capped his six-year presidency on Thursday morning. He was given departure honors before he left the Palace.
Marcos Jr. took his oath as the 17th Philippine President at the National Museum after seeing Duterte off. The former President, however, did not attend the inauguration.
Meanwhile, former President Duterte thought he had one of the best Cabinets in the country's history.
"I think... I am a student of government. Alam mo, matagal ako sa gobyerno (I've been with government for a long time). I think I assembled one of the best Cabinets, sa totoo lang. Piling-pili ko (in my opinion. I hand-picked them)," he said.
WATCH: Former President Rodrigo Duterte calls for support for President Bongbong Marcos:
"Let us all support the new administration. Tulungan natin sila. Tulungan natin si Marcos."
( Former PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/CxJWQ4lgh6
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) June 30, 2022
Duterte was elected by championing his populist agenda of ending illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in three to six months.
His contributions include the administration's ambitious Build, Build, Build Program, dubbed the golden age of infrastructure development in the Philippines.
He steered the country as the Covid-19 pandemic struck and spearheaded a massive immunization drive against the virus to prepare the nation for eventual recovery and rehabilitation.
Duterte will also be remembered as the President who gravitated toward the Philippines's non-traditional partners—Russia and China under his independent foreign policy.
Although stepping down from power, the former President has expressed willingness to offer advice to new leaders and vowed to continue combating illegal drugs, his lifelong advocacy.