Hello and goodbye to the chiefs

June 30 was a happy day for many, and a sad day for others. Happy because of the inauguration of Benigno C. Aquino III as the 15th president of the Republic, he whose ascension to power was most spectacular. Sad for those who bade President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo goodbye, she who left a legacy of her own, was admired and vilified, stood strong and survived impeachment attempts, chalked up accomplishments to be fully appreciated in time.

While waiting for the president-elect to make his entrance at the plush ceremonial hall of Malacanang — home of Mrs. Arroyo when her father, the late Diosdado Macapagal, was president — the president up to 12 o’clock noon of June 30 — shook hands with her staff, wearing a beautifully cut, simple terno. She was dignified at the Quirino grandstand at the Luneta as she made her last review of the honor guards, of which she was commander-in-chief for nine-and-a-half years. Then she rode off to Pampanga, to take her oath as a representative of the first district. She had declared she wanted to continue rendering public service.

Noynoy, now called P-Noy, as he had so indicated, walked up to the stage, where dignitaries and perfumed women were fanning themselves. He sat next to Vice-President-elect Jejomar Binay to his right, and former President Fidel V. Ramos to his left. To President Ramos’ left sat former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, but neither one talked to each other, no, not once during the two-hour program.

Half a million Pinoys were reported to have attended the event. Umbrellas were drawn out when it began to drizzle. Men and women wearing yellow shirts oogled at cameramen. The mood was festive.

Musical numbers were rendered by celebrities. Charice Pempengco singing the national anthem; Christian Bautista, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, the Madrigal Singers accompanied by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra; the Apo Hiking Society, and Ryan Cabangon who sang too many numbers on the theme of Filipinos being good, loyal and true.

Then P-Noy was sworn in, as was Jojo, by Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales. The changing of the guards was complete. The fate of the Republic now lay in the hands and wisdom of the 50-year old, only son of the late President Corazon C. Aquino and the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino.

He began and ended his 21-minute speech delivered in Pilipino and some English, with reference to his honoring his parents’ legacy. He had become an eloquent speaker, sure of what he was going to say, sure of the direction he wants this nation to go. I said to my companion as we watched the proceedings on television, that with his exposure during the campaign, the advice of mentors and media handlers, and the men and women he has chosen for his Cabinet, he would likely be an even better president than his mother.

He made promises to serve the people, curb corruption, prioritize poverty alleviation, scrutinize “midnight appointments,” revive his mother’s “emergency employment” program, clean up customs and strengthen tax collection, push for quality education, healthcare and housing; strengthen and reform the police and military, improve services for farmers; cut red tape and implement stable economic policies.

His administration he said, will be transparent and accountable to the people, he will establish an interaction and feedback mechanism with the people. He will make the country a good place for foreign investment, and ensure a just settlement of conflicts in Mindanao. He said “there can be no reconciliation without justice.”

The most applauded portion of his speech was his saying he had forgiven those who had spoken ill of him. “Pinatatawad ko na kayo,” he said. But, he continued, those who had committed wrong against the nation he would not forgive, but he would run after. 

He said he could not, however, make changes only by himself. He needs the support and cooperation of everyone. “Nothing is impossible with the backing of the people.”

 You and I who watched P-Noy lay bare his soul and dream for this country of ours think he will be a good president — if we help him. And so we shall.

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Former House Speaker Joe de Venecia e-mailed me to say that the Permanent Conference of the Political Parties from Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPAL), which represents more than 60 parties of 29 countries, extended yesterday their support and congratulations on the inauguration of President Aquino and Vice-President Binay.

Led by Latin American statesmen Antoni Cafiero of Argentina, chairman, and Gustavo Carvajal Moreno of Mexico, vice-chairman, they joined the more than 300 ruling and opposition parties of Asia, represented by the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), who earlier proclaimed their support to the reformist new Aquino government.

The combined parties in Asia and Latin America represent more than 70 percent of the world’s population.

The Latin American and Caribbean political parties concluded last year a partnership agreement, forged in Buenos Aires, with Asia’s International Conference of Political Parties headed by ICAPP’s founding chairman, former Speaker de Venecia, and co-chairman and Secretary-General Chung Eui Yong of South Korea.

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Kiss the Cook Gourmet, a restaurant on 65 Maginhawa St., UP, Diliman, where Baguio friends Baboo Mondonedo, Merci Dulawan, art tutor Norman Chow and Babeth Lalorga will sponsor simultaneous solo shows called “Moonlight and Water.” On July 4, it will hold a special concert featuring a very talented artist, Oliver Salonga, who is here for his summer break. The performing artist Oliver Salonga is a two-time National Music for Young Artists competition first prize winner who is finishing his artist’s diploma in performance at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Oliver agreed to play for a cause. The beneficiary of the event is the Vest Foundation, Inc., which works to keep 20 Aeta school children in school by sustaining their halfway house or dormitory in Bayan-Bayanan, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

There will be a choice of matinee at 10 a.m., with the concert beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch, or dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a concert at 7.

Tickets for the matinee are at P1,000 each including a set menu (from salad to 3 courses, all healthy fare, and a dessert of tiramisu with lemongrass cooler) and P1,200 each for dinner.

 For inquiries, call 7484152.

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My e-mail:[email protected]