From aspiring doctor to VP-elect: Sara Duterte looks back at journey to public service in inauguration

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 19) — Vice President-elect Sara Duterte once aspired to be a doctor, but she recalled how she was led to another direction: to become a lawyer and a public servant.

This was her revelation after she took her oath of office as the country's 15th vice president on Sunday, June 19, more than a week before her term officially starts.

"My life is a testament to the power of a God, whom we know by many names. My younger self was consumed by a dream to become a doctor," Duterte said in her inaugural speech.

LIVE UPDATES: Inauguration of Sara Duterte as 15th Vice President 

"I pursued a pathway that I thought could help me realize that dream, but I was directed toward another way. And now I am a lawyer," she added.

"When I committed myself to governance and public service, I was also determined to finish three consecutive terms as mayor," Duterte shared. "That will not happen anymore. I am now the vice president-elect."

Duterte also urged the public to listen to the call to serve, the same way that farmers, fisherfolk, health workers, soldiers, and teachers, among others, have dedicated their lives for the country.

Supreme Court Justice Ramon Paul Hernando administered Duterte's oath, as her mother Elizabeth Zimmerman held the bible and her father President Rodrigo Duterte stood as witness at San Pedro Square in Davao City.

The vice president-elect has served as Davao City mayor since 2016 and from 2010 to 2013.

Duterte emerged as winner of the vice-presidential elections on May 9, having received 32,208,417 million votes, or 61.53% of the total votes cast in the vice-presidential race.

READ: It's official: Sara Duterte is the new vice president 

Duterte will officially occupy the second highest post on June 30, the same day that her father will step down from the presidency and succeeded by her running mate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.