MANILA // Under a grey Manila sky Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino was sworn in as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines yesterday, promising to clean up corruption and to tackle the country's deep-rooted poverty. In an inaugural address that lasted 21 minutes and 57 seconds Mr Aquino, the son of one of the country's best known political dynasties, said "people walk behind us [the Aquinos] dreaming ? today that dream starts. And with the people's support we can make that happen." Mr Aquino's father, also Benigno, was the country's opposition leader when he was assassinated at Manila international airport in 1983 leaving his widow, Corazon, to carry the opposition flag. In 1986 she led a non-violent people power revolution that toppled the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy to the country.
More than 500,000 people packed into the park opposite the Quirinos Grandstand that backs onto Manila Bay to witness the inauguration. The sky was overcast and the humidity was high, but the rain held off and many of the dignitaries could be seen using the official programme to fan themselves. Mr Aquino left his family home in Quezon City at 9.45am for the short drive to Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the president. There was little traffic on the road and his motorcade even stopped at traffic lights, which, in the Philippines is an unusual sight at the best of times, as all motorcades have police motorcycle escorts and blaring sirens. Arriving at the palace he was greeted by the outgoing president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. After exchanging pleasantries, they shared a limousine to the grandstand. An honour guard gave Mrs Arroyo a military farewell before she was whisked away for the drive to her home province of Pampanga, north of Manila, where she was later sworn in as a congresswoman for the district.
Mr Aquino looked awkward at first but soon found his stride, smiling and chatting to those on the platform. The oath was administered by Conchita Carpio-Morales, the associate chief justice. After being sworn in, Mr Aquino's first order as commander-in-chief was to ask the guard, which had been standing for more than two hours in full-dress uniform in the stifling heat, to stand easy while he delivered his address. Some said his speech lacked the passion evident in the inaugural speech of Joseph Estrada in 1998, but it was a reflection of the humility of a man who 12 months ago was a quiet senator with no higher ambitions. kwilson@thenational.ae