MANILA -- Rodrigo Duterte, the former Davao mayor known for being relentless against crime and corruption, was inaugurated as president of the Philippines at noon on Thursday.
Duterte is expected to keep the previous administration's macroeconomic policy of inviting foreign investment and supporting the development of domestic industries.
He will also be required to handle sensitive diplomatic relations with China and the U.S. as China flexes its military muscle in the South China Sea.
Duterte was sworn in at the Malacanang Palace here in the capital, then to deliver an inaugural speech.
The former mayor is the Philippines' first president to hail from the southern island of Mindanao, and one of his priorities is to narrow the gap between the booming economy of Greater Manila and the not exactly thriving rest of the country.
In his presidential campaign, Duterte stirred controversy by explicitly encouraging the extrajudicial killings of criminals. After winning, however, he has been softening his stance on this issue.
Not only in economic policy but also in diplomacy, the new president has indicated an intention to basically follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, who established close relationships with the U.S. and Japan.
As for the Philippines' strained relations with China, Duterte is playing his cards close to the vest. He is waiting for a United Nations court of arbitration ruling, expected on July 12, regarding a Philippine petition to recognize that China's territorial claims covering nearly all of the South China Sea have no legal basis.
The ruling is likely to affect the way the international community regards the Philippines, as well as China's future course of action. Duterte has only said he wants to read the ruling before delving into the issue.
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