Inauguration of Joseph Estrada
| Date | June 30, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Location |
Barasoain Church Malolos, Bulacan |
| Participants |
President of the Philippines, Joseph Ejercito Estrada Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Vice President of the Philippines Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Andres Narvasa Transition Team of Joseph Estrada and Presidential Transition Coordination Team |
The Inauguration of Joseph Ejercito Estrada as the thirteenth President of the Philippines took place on Tuesday, June 30, 1998 at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Andres Narvasa. After which, Estrada delivered his inaugural speech at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The inauguration was held during the Centennial of Philippine Independence.
The Inauguration was organized jointly by the Presidential Transition Cooperation Team of outgoing President Fidel V. Ramos and the Transition Team of incoming President Estrada.
Context
Oath of office
Estrada took his oath office on June 30, 1998, at the Barasoain Church, in Malolos, Bulacan and as mandated by the Constitution, this took place at noon. This was the first time that the inauguration took place outside Manila. The Church was chosen to be the venue for the oath taking for paying tribute to the cradle of the First Republic. The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, who also administered the oath of office of his predecessor, Fidel V. Ramos in 1992.
Inaugural events
Oath taking
As per tradition, the incoming president will fetch the outgoing president at the Malacañan Palace. However, incoming President Estrada fetched outgoing President Ramos at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol. After which, they rode a coach leading to the Barasoain Church, breaking tradition of riding on the Presidential Car. There, Ramos was given final military honors, after which, they proceeded to the Church. The oath taking started with the Philippine National Anthem and the ecumenical prayer. Vice President-elect Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in a few minutes prior to Estrada to secure the constitutional line of succession. At exactly 12:00 noon, Chief Justice Narvasa administered the oath of office to Estrada. Among those who witness the oath taking were Estrada's mother, Mary Ejercito, as well as his long-time friend Fernando Poe, Jr. Also witnessed the oath taking were former presidents Corazon Aquino and his predecessor Fidel V. Ramos. After which, Estrada was given his first military honors and proceeded to Malacañang for the ceremonial climbing on the Grand Staircase and the induction of new cabinet and his first cabinet meeting.
Inauguration ceremony
The inaugural ceremony was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, which was hosted by actors Robert Arevalo and Boots Anson-Roa. President Estrada arrived at the Grandstand and given military honors. The inaugural started at around 4:00 p.m. PST with the singing of the national anthem by Nora Aunor and the ecumenical prayer. Then, Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora introduced President Estrada and gave his inaugural address.