10 June 2010 / AP, MANILA
The Philippine Congress proclaimed Benigno Aquino III the country’s new president on Wednesday amid high hopes he will fulfill his campaign promise to eliminate corruption and poverty and restore trust in government.
A joint session by the Senate and House of Representatives voted to formalize the landslide victory of the son of the country’s revered democracy icons -- Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino -- after the Philippines’ first national automated elections last month. Aquino will take his oath as the country’s 15th president on June 30, succeeding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo whose nine-year rule has been wracked by four coup attempts by mutinous troops, and opposition impeachment bids over allegations of election fraud, corruption scandals and human rights abuses. Aquino promised justice and “closure on so many issues.” “As president, we will be in a position to effect the necessary changes,” he told reporters. “With the backing of the people, I don’t think anything is impossible.” The official congressional count ended on Tuesday showing Aquino defeating his eight rivals by more than 15 million votes -- about 5.7 million ahead of his closest opponent, ousted leader Joseph Estrada.
