Noynoy Aquino – 15th Philippine President

President Benigno Aquino III

It’s a very special day for the Philippines as Benigno Aquino III took oath of office as the 15th Philippine president administered by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales. The inauguration took place at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Vice President Jejomar Binay also took oath in front of almost half a million (according to ABS-CBN) Filipinos.

The ceremony started when outgoing president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did a final pass-in review of the troops. Loud cheers and applause filled the venue as they (Aquino and Arroyo) shook hands.

The newly installed president delivered his very own inaugural speech. Just like any other inaugural speeches from the past, it contained pledges about better education, more infrastructures, work, etc. However, President Aquino stressed good governance and removal of corruption. This has always been his campaign theme as corruption has been the country’s problem. He also addressed smaller issues/problems faced by Filipinos. He promised there’ll be no “wang wangs” (convoys of officials that use sirens to be given way on roads) and “tongs/kotongs” (bribe). He also promised to be a good example and proved it by being on time for the ceremony and stopping on stop lights and not using “wang wangs” for his convoy. More key points of the inaugural speech from ABS-CBN News. And here’s the president’s inaugural address.

Filipinos have high hopes as the new administration comes in. Maybe it’s because President Noynoy came from a line of great leaders – former Senator Ninoy Aquino, his father, fought against Martial Law and was assassinated while his mother, Corazon Aquino, was labeled as the Mother of Democracy as she led the forming of the 1986 Constitution that centers on democracy. But I think what’s special in this administration is that everybody wants to be a part of the change. The president is not alone calling for it. The Filipinos also pledge to be a part of it.

God bless President Noynoy Aquino and his administration. God bless the Philippines.