MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office at noon Thursday in subdued ceremonies at the presidential palace.

Duterte’s youngest daughter, 12-year-old Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, held the bible of the new president’s late mother as his fraternity brother, Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, administered the oath.

Duterte’s family and supporters flew in from Davao to witness the event, including his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and their children Paolo, Sara and Sebastian.

Second child Sara took over from his father as Davao City mayor while elder brother Paolo was elected vice mayor. The family was garbed in traditional garments made by designers from the southern city that he ruled for two decades.

Duterte, the country’s 16th president, is the first to take his oath office in Malacanang since the restoration of democracy in 1986.

The 71-year-old said he was skipping a grand inaugural to spare the public from traffic jams. Guests, including high government officials and diplomats, were bussed in from the Philippine International Convention Center instead of arriving in separate cars.

Simple fare will be served during the reception, including maruya, or bananas deep fried in oil then rolled in sugar.