Politician’s vows usher in Aquino By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/01/2010

5M TURN UP FOR VAUDEVILLE-STYLE INAUGURAL Politician’s vows usher in Aquino By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/01/2010 Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino took over as president yesterday with a traditional politician’s vows to lift the nation out of poverty and wipe out crippling corruption that he said thrived under his predecessor in a 20-minute speech which many political analysts said was short on specifics. Aquino urged thousands of Filipinos attending his inauguration and those who were watching and listening from their homes to help him carry the nation’s cross, saying that his “calvary” has unfolded given the weight of the problems he had inherited from his predecessor former President Gloria Arroyo. Police estimated 500,000 people turned up at Rizal Park for Aquino’s inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand, and the event took on a festival-style atmosphere with a popular folk singer belting out songs of hope before the oathtaking. Aquino said he draws his strength from Filipinos, “for they are the ones responsible for his presidency,” adding that he neither imagined nor desired to take over the nation’s helm. “Neither have I dreamed to raise hopes nor inherit the predicaments of our nation. My goal in life was just simple — to be faithful to my parents and our country as a principled son, good brother, and a decent citizen,” Aquino opened in his inaugural address. “Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people,” Aquino said in one of many stinging criticisms of Arroyo whose nearly 10 years in power were marred by allegations of vote rigging and massive graft. “Through good governance in the coming years we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place and, as each year passes, the Filipinos’ problems will continue to lessen.” Aquino said ending poverty, experienced by nearly a third of the nation’s 90 million people who live in slums, by eradicating corruption would serve as the foundation of his administration’s six-year term. “Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance,” said Aquino, who many has been criticized as an under-achiever during his past 12 years as member of Congress.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100701hed1.html

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