100,000 volunteers to take oath with Noynoy
The Quirino Grandstand in Manila has witnessed the turnover of the presidency in the past years.
On June 30, President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will also take his oath there.
Preparations are underway to make the Quirino Grandstand look new.
Workers have begun repainting the walls, as well as fortifying the structure.
The canopy of the main section of the grandstand was also enlarged to accommodate more people.
Thousands are expected to attend the inauguration, including 100,000 volunteers, who will also take a collective oath—”Panata sa Pagbabago”—together with Aquino.
“Sila’y magbibigay ng pagpapatunay na tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang kanilang suporta at tulong sa bagong administrasyon. Yan ang innovation na hindi pa ginawa sa kahit anong inagurasyon,” said inaugural spokesperson Manuel Quezon III.
He added this “innovation in the inaugural ceremonies” is “meant to respond to the President’s inaugural address by volunteers and the public at large pledging their support and participation in the democratic governance of the nation.”
Tradition dictates the president-elect will pick up President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacañang.
They will then ride in a limousine together going to Quirino Grandstand.
Mrs. Arroyo will then be given final military honors before she leaves the venue.
Vice-President-elect Jejomar Binay will first take his oath, while Aquino will be sworn in at 12 noon.
Supreme Court associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales will administer Aquino’s and Binay’s oaths instead of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Aquino had requested Carpio Morales to swear him in because she was the only justice who voted against the so-called midnight appointments.
Quezon, the inaugural spokesperson, clarified this will not have any implications in the relationship between the executive and the judiciary.
“Ang mahalaga sa inagurasyon, lahat ng mga sangay ng ating pamahalaan ay nandoon. Ang magiging saksi sa pagpasok ng bagong administrasyon ay ang kaparte niyang mga sangay ng ating pamahalaan,” he said.
Corona is invited to the inauguration, but he has yet to confirm his attendance.
After the oath taking, there will be a 21-gun salute before Aquino delivers his inaugural speech.
Like previous presidents, Aquino’s speech will focus on hope and change. ABS-CBN News
