Government of Maribojoc: Travel, Business and News

Foreign governments began on Wednesday showering President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III with prayers and hopes for strengthened relations between their countries and the Philippines, soon after Aquino became the constitutionally declared 15th Chief of State at noon in Manila.

Both he and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay took their respective oath of office in at exactly 12 noon in ceremonies at the historic Quirino grandstand at the Rizal National Park here.

Among the early greeters were Australia and the United Kingdom.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, signing her message as “Elizabeth R,” sent congratulations via the British embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Colin Crorkin.

“I send you my congratulations on your inauguration as President of the Republic of the Philippines. I look forward to continuing the close cooperation and warm relations between our two countries. I wish you and the people of the Philippines prosperity and every good fortune, she wrote.

The British government was represented in the inaugurals by a delegation led by Crorkin.

The Australian Government also sent felicitations, noting that “Australia and the Philippines share a warm and substantive bilateral relationship underpinned by close people-to-people links.”

Australia was represented at the inauguration by Special Representative Julie Owens MP, Secretary of the Australia-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Rod Smith.

In a message, Smith said “Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Philippine Government under President Aquino on our broad range of shared interests, including in the areas of development assistance, defence and law enforcement cooperation, trade and investment, human rights and active engagement on regional and international issues.”

It’s official. The former chief executive of Makati City is now the second highest official of the country.

On Wednesday, Jejomar C. Binay took his oath as Vice President before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

After Binay, Benigno Simeon Noynoy Aquino III also took his oath as the country’s 15th President also before Morales.

Binay’s spouse, former Makati mayor Dr. Elenita Binay, was among his special guests at the inauguration rites.

Also in attendance were members of the Boys Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Alpha Phi Omega (APO) and other Binay supporters.

Binay is the current BSP president and also a member of Alpha Phi Omega University of the Philippines Diliman Chapter (Batch 1960).

When sought for a message to the Filipinos during a short interview at the Manila Hotel before the inauguration, he said: “Maraming salamat sa pagtitiwala. Mga kababayan namin, hindi sana kayo magsawa na isama niyo kami ni Pangulong Noynoy sa inyong mga dasal na maging tama sa aming tungkulin (Thank you for your trust. May you continue praying for President Noy and I that we do good in carrying out our tasks).”

Binay and his family members stayed at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night and they were up at 4 a.m. to get ready for the inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand.

From the Manila Hotel, Binay was taken to the Quirino Grandstand by an electrical jeepney (E-jeep) which the former Makati mayor had introduced as part of his environmental advocacy.

Binay will attend the 6 p.m. Inaugural Ball at the Malacanang along with his wife but will likely skip the post-inauguration street party of President Aquino and his supporters at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Wednesday night, as their family will have a small gathering at their residence in Barangay San Antonio, Makati.

On Tuesday, Binay, on his last duty as Makati mayor, officiated the wedding of losing Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial candidate Joey de Venecia III and Karen Batumbakal at the Makati City Hall.

History unfolded anew when exiting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her successor President-elect Benigno Aquino III met Wednesday at Malacanang Palace during a symbolic gesture of unity in moving the country forward further.

“It signifies unity and continuity,” exiting Press Secretary Crispulo “Jun” Icban said on the side of the traditional courtesy call Mr. Aquino paid on President Arroyo that day.

He noted both leaders’ camps made this courtesy call part of activities leading to Mr. Aquino’s inauguration later that day as the country’s 15th head of State.

President Arroyo descended Malacanang Palace’s main staircase for the last time as head of State and headed towards the foyer to receive Mr. Aquino who arrived around 10:20 a.m. for the courtesy call.

They exchanged pleasantries briefly amidst cheers from people who witnessed the courtesy call then proceeded to ride in the presidential car that took them to Rizal Park for Mr. Aquino’s inauguration.

For the event, President Arroyo wore an ecru-colored Filipiniana gown with butterfly sleeves.

Mr. Aquino donned the traditional “barong” in almost the same shade as his predecessor’s gown.

His courtesy call followed the fellowship dinner President Arroyo and her Cabinet had at Malacanang the night before.

Vice-President Noli de Castro said members of the Cabinet enjoyed then reminiscing about their experience working under President Arroyo’s administration.

He’s also thankful for the opportunity to serve in government.

Exiting Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza recalled the President as having mixed feelings during the fellowship night.

“She was very loving that night,” he also said on the courtesy call’s side.