MANILA, Philippines – Former Vice President Jejomar Binay quietly said goodbye to the Republic of the Philippines on Thursday, June 30.

“Karangalan ko po ang nanilbihan bilang inyong pangalawang pangulo (It’s my honor to have served you as vice president),” Binay posted on his official Twitter account at 2:55 pm, roughly 3 hours after his term as vice president expired.

“Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Mabuhay ang ating bansang Pilipinas!” he added. (Thank you, everyone. Long live the Philippines!)

Binay changed his Twitter handle from @VPJojoBinay to @JojoCBinay.

On Thursday morning, Vice President Leni Robredo took her oath of office in a short and simple ceremony at the Quezon City Reception House.

She invited Binay to attend, but the latter politely declined because he said he does not want to cause tension between Robredo and the Liberal Party (LP).

Binay, former housing czar and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ affairs, resigned from the Cabinet of LP member and former president Benigno Aquino III for its supposed failed governance.

The former vice president also repeatedly criticized LP’s standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II throughout the 2016 elections, which both candidates lost to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Binay spent his final days as Vice President behind the limelight, shying away from the cameras as he wrapped up his duties and bid farewell to his staff.

Karangalan ko po ang nanilbihan bilang inyong Pangalawang Pangulo. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Mabuhay ang ating bansang Pilipinas!

— Jejomar C. Binay (@JojoCBinay) June 30, 2016

– Rappler.com