Arroyo inauguration likely at Rizal Park

CEBU CITY, Cebu — Administration officials have already "more or less" agreed that President Arroyo’s inauguration — that is, if she wins a fresh term — would be held at the Quirino Grandstand at Manila’s Rizal Park, an official of the Koalisyon ng Karanasan at Katapatan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4) told The STAR.

However, K-4 allies in the province led by Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmeña have proposed that the inaugural ball and other festivities be held at the provincial capitol, said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Mrs. Arroyo has refused to discuss preparations for the inauguration until Congress has declared the winner of the May 10 presidential election to avoid being seen as presumptuous, the official said.

"This is why we cannot talk about these things in public because the President gets angry with us when we raise such matters to her."

Osmeña has announced that he would gladly move Cebu City’s Sinugba (barbecue) festival — intended for Independence Day on June 12 — for June 30 if Mrs. Arroyo accepts his invitation to hold the inaugural ball there.

Col. Delfin Bangit, commander of the Presidential Security Group, said they have not started security preparations for the inauguration because Congress has not yet proclaimed the next president.

Congress is still in the early stage of the counting of votes for president and vice president.

Security preparations for the inauguration would be a "nightmare" because diplomats, and maybe world leaders, and other important figures will be there, Bangit said.