Benigno Aquino inaugurated as Philippines president

Benigno Aquino III was inaugurated Wednesday after a solid win in May’s Philippines election enshrined him as one of the country’s most popular leaders. A larger task will be to emerge from his parents’ shadow.

Mr. Aquino took the oath of office of president of the Philippines before a supreme court justice at a Manila’s seaside resort. Hundreds of thousands of people, many of them clad in his yellow campaign color, were in attendance.

Political commentator Amando Doronila, with the Philippines Daily Inquirer says people in the Philippines are optimistic about the new president and the new electronic voting process.

Many a Filipino politician has promised such an overhaul and failed. But Mr. Aquino–who inherited a reputation for probity from his politician-parents, beloved for defying a corrupt government–seems to have injected new optimism into the national outlook.

“For the first time in recent history the mood is actually extremely inspirational,” said a CNN reporter covering the inauguration ceremony.

Aquino’s 21-minute speech Wednesday garnered more than a dozen bursts of applause. “My father fought the dictatorship and laid down his life so we can gain back our democracy. My mother offered her life to nurture that democracy. I will lay down my life to ensure our democracy will benefit everyone,” he vowed.

“The first step is to have incorruptible and honest leaders,” he said. “This will start with me. I will strive to be a good example. I will never waste the trust you have given me.”

Aquino has announced initial steps to meet his soaring promises. Most significant, on Tuesday he said he would set up a truth commission to investigate corruption allegations against his deeply unpopular predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The probe will be trustworthy and efficient, he said. “I want an independent commission that will be beyond criticism so their findings won’t be manufactured results for political purposes, but based on solid evidence and facts.”

Aquino also named as justice secretary an investigator of human rights abuses known for her independence, Leila de Lima. He pledged to monitor the government budget to prevent graft. During his speech Wednesday, he said his motorcade would not drive with sirens or run red lights –eliciting applause.

The jubilation Wednesday reflects the strong popular mandate that Aquino enjoys. He won last month’s election with 42 percent of the vote, beating his eight competitors outright.

Aquino’s popularity stems more from family legacy than personal performance. His father, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, stood up to then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated for it in 1983, triggering massive “people power” protests. His mother, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, continued the popular revolt and, after Mr. Marcos fled the country in 1986, served as president for six years. Her death last August spurred widespread mourning and calls for her son to continue the family cause and run for president.

At the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, Aquino wore yellow, his mother’s signature color.