'Maruya', buko juice for Duterte's inauguration guests

MANILA – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is making good on his promise to serve simple food to his guests during his June 30 inauguration.

Incoming Palace communications secretary said Duterte will serve finger foods to his guests composed of Duterte's family, members of the diplomatic corps, congressmen, policemen, military, other government officials, and people close to the president-elect.

''Ang merienda maruya. Finger foods, pero maruya ang pinaka-main. At ang cocktails naman, if I'm not mistaken, it is buko juice," Andanar told reporters after Duterte's 5-hour meeting with his Cabinet members at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Duterte's trusted aide Bong Go said the president-elect's June 30 inauguration will be "simple yet meaningful," which is consistent with the long-time Davao City mayor's principles on austerity.

Duterte's inauguration committee has also decided to hold the president-elect's oath taking at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang.

Andanar said Duterte would like to apologize to Filipinos for not being able to have his inauguration at a larger venue.

'"He wants his oath-taking to be a simple one, '' he said.

Meanwhile, Andanar said Duterte's speech is being prepared by Davao City Administrator Jesus Melchor Quitain. He said he will help in polishing the speech.

He said it is not yet definite whether Duterte will read his speech on a teleprompter, but noted that the president-elect "liked" using one.

"We sent a teleprompter to Davao and apparently he liked it," he said.

Andanar said he also does not know yet whether Duterte will deliver his speech in English or Filipino.