Bongbong, Imee return to Malacañang for Duterte’s inauguration

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. set foot once again inside Malacañang Palace Thursday to witness the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Bongbong and his sister, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, were among the political personalities seated inside Rizal Hall ahead of Duterte’s oath-taking, which is scheduled at 12 noon.

The outgoing senator flashed a “peace” sign when the camera of the Presidential Broadcast Staff Radio-Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) focused on him.

LOOK: Sen. Bongbong Marcos and Imee Marcos inside the Rizal Hall in Malacañang for Duterte inauguration @gmanews pic.twitter.com/rTqXZd59Km

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) June 30, 2016

Bongbong was last seen in Malacañang during the state dinner for United States President Barack Obama on April 28, 2014.

The Marcos siblings occupied the Palace during the term of their late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, from 1965 until his ouster in 1986.

On Wednesday, Bongbong said he will “naturally” attend Duterte’s inauguration since he had been invited by the President-elect.

“I was invited so naturally I will attend,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online.

Duterte has been vocal about his close ties with Bongbong, even citing it as a reason why he does not want to commit to giving Vice President Leni Robredo a Cabinet post.

"Alam mo, wala ako talaga. I am non-committal ako diyan. You know why? Kilala ko si Bongbong Marcos, I do not want to hurt him. Si Leni, she should understand that she belongs to the opposite side. There is no law that exists that is a compelling reason for her to be a member of the Cabinet," Duterte said during a press conference in May.

Bongbong lost to Robredo by over 200,000 votes in the vice presidential race. He has filed a poll protest questioning her victory. — Xianne Arcangel/RSJ, GMA News