A crowd of over 500 thousand people welcome the new president. He swore the oath today at 12 at the Quirino Grandstand in the old part of the capital.

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Benino "Noynoy" Aquino was sworn in today as the new president of the Philippines. A crowd of over 500 thousand people dressed in yellow, the colour of the 1986 rosary revolution, listened to his inaugural speech, which occurred around 12 noon at the Quirino Grandstand in the old part of Manila.

"If there is no corruption, there is no poverty - said - that is the principle that guides my government – I will take our country out of poverty." "My parents - he added - sought nothing less, and died for nothing less, than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward".  Aquino reiterated his willingness to fight corruption and to shed light on the previous government led by Gloria Arroyo.

Benino Aquino leader of the Liberal Party (LP) and heir of the historic President Corazon Aquino, won the elections last May 10 with over 43% of preferences. He set his government line on a radical change in the country, generating a widespread expectation in the population, the true protagonist of the elections with over 85% turnout.

 

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