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Police estimated a crowd of at least 500 thousands of people, many clad in his yellow campaign color, applauded and yelled Aquino’s nickname, “Noynoy,” as he took his oath before a Supreme Court justice at Manila’s seaside Rizal Park.
Vice President Jejomar Binay was sworn in before Aquino in the nationally televised ceremonies that resembled a music concert, with celebrity singers and an orchestra belting out nationalist and folk songs. Yellow confetti rained from two helicopters.
Diplomats from more than 80 countries and two former Philippine presidents — Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada — attended. East Timor President Jose Ramos Jorta, a long time supporter of the Aquino family and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, were among the foreign dignitaries.
Aquino, wearing a native formal shirt and speaking in Tagalog, promised to fight corruption, particularly in the notoriously graft-ridden bureaus of customs and internal revenue. He pledged to bring a new era of good governance, reforms and a bureaucracy that will be sensitive to the plight of the common folk.
In a widely applauded portion of his speech, Aquino said he also suffered in the past like ordinary Filipinos by being stuck in heavy traffic as siren-blaring convoys carrying powerful people breezed by. “No more wang-wang,” he said, using the local term for blaring sirens.
“He signifies change and hope,” said businesswoman Marivic Roy, who came with her husband and two sons. “That’s why people gravitate toward him. We feel there is hope for this country.”
The rise of Aquino, a low-key legislator and son of democracy icons, reflects the Filipinos’ longing for moral and political renewal.
Considered a political lightweight, the 50-year-old bachelor won a landslide election victory that analysts attributed to his family name and anti-corruption platform.
The Philippines has been grappling with poverty, corruption, armed conflicts and deep divisions for decades. On the eve of his rise to the presidency, Aquino said he felt anxious but confident the millions who voted for him will back him to confront those problems.
With reports from writers Oliver Teves, Jim Gomez and Teresa Cerojano who contributed to this new item.
