MANILA - Leni Robredo was sworn into office as the Philippines' 14th vice president Thursday morning in a separate ceremony from President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Ronaldo Coner, the chief of Barangay Punta Tarawal, Calabanga -- the poorest barangay in Robredo's hometown Camarines Sur -- administered her oath at the Quezon City Reception House.

Jillian, the youngest among Robredo's three daughters, held the bible, with Aika and Tricia also at the stage.

Only 300 guests were invited to Robredo's inauguration, where modest Filipino cuisine would be served, including sotanghon, maja blanca, pan de sal, and buchi with chocnut.

Her inauguration pushed through despite the election protest filed by her closest rival, Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who accused the former congresswoman's camp of committing "traditional election abuses" that supposedly paved the way for her victory.

Marcos lost to Robredo by only around 200,000 votes.

READ: Marcos files election protest vs Robredo

Robredo, who had lived a relatively private life as a lawyer, was thrust into the limelight and her husband Jesse's political shoes following his death in a plane crash in August 2012.

In 2013, she ran, although reluctantly, and won as congresswoman of the first district of Camarines Sur, toppling the nearly 40-year reign of the Villafuerte clan.

After just one term in Congress, her Liberal Party (LP) allies convinced her to try a higher position.

Robredo initially said she would not run for vice president because her children did not want to live their lives in the public eye.

She, however, eventually agreed after much prodding from her supporters and allies, which included no less than outgoing President Benigno Aquino III.

READ: Leni on VP win: Napakaimposible pero nangyari