victory over his rival Joseph Estrada. Recount instead reverse outcome for vice president : Jejomar Binay, candidate of the Estrada party beat Tues Roxas of Aquino’s Liberal Party. The Church applauded the result, but does not the law in favor of birth control supported by Aquinas.

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - About a month after the May 10 elections, the Philippine Congress today officially confirmed the outcome of the vote designating Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino as the new President of the Philippines. The verdict was delayed by his opponent’s request for recount, who raised doubts on the effective regularity of the automated elections, the first in the history of the country. The recount was conducted in record time, with the help of 45,000 volunteers of the Catholic Parish Pastoral Council for responsible voting.

The leader of the Liberal Party (LP) and son of the historic President Corazon Aquino won with a total of 15.2 million votes, pulling more than 5 million votes more than his rival Joseph Estrada. The result changes instead for the office of Vice President, which saw Jejomar Binay, candidate of Estrada’s party of the winner.  He beat by only 700 thousand votes Senator Roxas of the Liberal Party .  The handover between the outgoing President Gloria Arroyo and Aquino will take place on June 30.

Aquino has set his campaign on the need for radical change in the country after six years of Arroyo government, generating a widespread expectation in the population, the true star of these elections with over 85% participation. The major challenges of the new president are: the fight against corruption, land reform for peasants and peace with Muslim rebels in Mindanao.

With his proposals Aquino is a great hope for the Catholic Church, despite his support for the law on birth control. Today Jaro Archbishop Mgr. Angel Lagdmao and former president of the Bishops Conference, said: "The Church will pray for the new president. Our desire is to work with him and assist in the realization of his ideals. " The prelate emphasizes, however, the firmness of the bishops on issues such as condom use and abortion. "There is - he adds - no compromise with our beliefs especially in matters of faith and morals." "I hope - he concludes - that the people will find new strength with the Aquino administration and I hope that he follows the ideals for which his parents gave their lives".

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