Quirino Grandstand reserved for Duterte inauguration

MANILA, Philippines – Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte might opt for a simple inauguration at Malacañang on June 30, but the management of Rizal Park has still reserved the Quirino Grandstand on that date.

National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) permits section head Flor Buclatin said with more than a month to go before the next president of the country is sworn into office, “anything is still possible.”

“We have reserved June 30 for the inauguration. We have not allowed other bookings the whole day of June 30 just in case they decide to hold the event at the Quirino Grandstand,” Buclatin told The STAR.

Big events are usually held at the Quirino Grandstand, and the venue is commonly reserved three months before the event.

Buclatin hopes that if the Duterte camp decides to hold the inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand, they will inform the NPDC at least two weeks before inauguration day.

But the NPDC is already making preparations.

“Little by little we have already been cleaning the Quirino Grandstand in time for the June 12 Independence Day celebration,” Buclatin said.

At least seven Philippine presidents held their inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand, formerly called the Independence Grandstand.

They were Elpidio Quirino (1949), Ramon Magsaysay (1953), Carlos Garcia (1957), Diosdado Macapagal (1961), Ferdinand Marcos (1965, 1969, 1981), Fidel Ramos (1992) and Benigno Aquino III (2010).

“It would be good if the inauguration would be held again at the Quirino Grandstand so that it would again be part of history. But then of course, that would be Mayor Duterte’s decision. But the Quirino Grandstand is ready for him,” Buclatin said.