Marcos takes oath too, at Malacanang; Tolentino missing
FERDINAND MARCOS was sworn in as the 7th president by Chief Justice Ramon Aquino at the Malacanang Ceremonial Hall at noon today.
The swearing-in was supposed to be aired live on pro-government channels 2, 9, and 13, but the telecast was cut off 12:30 p.m. as Aquino was about to administer the oath to Mr. Marcos.
Some 3,000 Marcos supporters mingled with heavily-armed troops in front of a wall of Malacanang, where a two-storey high image of the flag serves as backdrop to a stage, witnesses said.
Some 1,000 friends, relatives and allies gathered at the Malacanang Ceremonial Hall.
The crowd, which came on foot apparently from surrounding neighborhoods, chanted “Marcos pa rin” and waved tiny Philippine flags while ward leaders of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan took down their names.
No diplomats were invited after many indicated they would boycott the event.
Information Minister Gregorio Cendana and Assemblyman Arturo Pacificador, earlier reported by the rebels to have been arrested by the mutineer’s, appeared at the Palace gates and were applauded by Palace employees. Public Highways Minister Jesus Hipolito was also seen on the Palace grounds.
All access roads to the Palace were manned by riot police, and soldiers wearing red-white-and-blue armbands frisked visitors twice. The trucks of cars approaching the barricades were also opened for inspection.
Tanks guarded all roads going to Malacanang.
In Quezon City, intense automatic rifle fire was heard at the same time as rebel troops laid siege to one of the channel’s transmitting towers defended by pro-Marcos soldiers, eyewitnesses said.
Palace spokesmen told agende France presse the tower’s microwave system could have been damaged by enemy fire.
by J.P. Fenix
VICE-presidential candidate Arturo Tolentino was not present as President Marcos was inaugurated at the Malacanang ceremonial hall, high noon today.
Conflicting explanations were given by various officials in the Palace. Members of the presidential press staff said that Tolentino was going around Asean nations as part of the diplomatic mission sent by President Marcos.
Information Minister Cendana however, said “he (Tolentino) can’t get through.” He made no elaboration of his brief statement.
Agriculture Minister Salvador Escudero, on the other hand, said that “he (Tolentino) probably not get through the barricades.” When asked what barricades he was referring to, he just smiled and refused to answer.
