DAVAO CITY (UPDATE) - Vice President-elect Sara Duterte took her oath as the Philippines' second highest leader on Sunday or 11 days ahead of her formal assumption of office.

The outgoing mayor of Davao City, who is also President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, was sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando in a formal ceremony at the San Pedro Square in this city.

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Duterte, 44, was joined on stage by her parents, with her mom, Elizabeth Zimmerman, holding the Bible on which she placed her left hand while taking her oath.

"Hindi ako ang pinakamagaling, o pinakamatalinong tao sa Pilipinas at sa mundo. Ngunit, walang makakatalo sa tibay ng puso ko bilang isang Filipino," she said in her inaugural address.

"The voice of 32.2 million Filipinos was loud and clear - with the message to serve our motherland. And this message has been reiterated in my oath: to consecrate myself to the service of the nation," she added.

Prior to that, a Holy Mass was held at the nearby San Pedro Cathedral which the Vice President-elect attended.

Duterte received at least 32,208,417 votes during the May 9 elections, while second placer Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan got 9,329,207. Seven others aspired for the vice presidency.

Her inauguration was attended by her father, President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., former President and now congresswoman-elect Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, some ambassadors, and local politicians.

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CLOSE ALLIES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE

Among those seen at the venue were Sen. Imee Marcos, Senator Ramong "Bong" Revilla Jr. and wife, Cavite Representative Lani Mercado, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Sonny Angara, and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Sen.-elect Loren Legarda and Congressman-elect Joey Salceda.

Current and former cabinet officials were also in attendance, including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, former Chief Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo and former Palace spokesman Harry Roque.

President Duterte’s spiritual adviser, controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, was also among those who attended the program.

Herbert Bautista and Larry Gadon, who both failed in their senatorial bid in the May 9 elections, were also present.

"As we previously articulated, let us stand behind Vice President-elect Duterte-Carpio and all other newly elected leaders as they embark on the responsibilities and challenges of their offices and fulfill their mandate of delivering genuine change to our beloved country," acting presidential spokesman and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement earlier in the day.

The outgoing President's former aide, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, said the older Duterte is proud of what his daughter has accomplished.

“Sino ba naman ang hindi na ang anak mo ang magiging Vice President after finishing his term. Bilang ama masaya po sya para sa kanyang anak na maipagpapatuloy nya ang mga programa na naumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte,” he said.

Aside from formally becoming the 15th Vice President of the country on June 30, Duterte will also take the helm of the Department of Education.

In a statement, the DepEd congratulated her on her inauguration and expressed their enthusiasm in working with her "in provocatively addressing the challenges in basic education."

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"We call on our stakeholders, including our teachers, non-teaching personnel, field officials, parents, and partners, to unite and collaborate anew under the leadership of VP Sara, for the benefit of the Filipino children," it said.

- with reports from Katrina Domingo, Pia Gutierrez and Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News; and Cheche Diabordo

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