Aquino Is Sworn In as Leader of the Philippines

13/07/2010 09:16
MANILA — Benigno S. Aquino III was sworn in air force shoes onlineas the 15th president of the Philippines on Wednesday and promised sweeping reforms that he said will improve the quality of life for the country. Mr. Aquino, 50, takes over a country that Nike Dunk Shoes onlinesaw much political turbulence in the nine years of the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He reiterated a pledge to investigate allegations of corruption and abuses under her government, and promised to listen to ordinary Filipinos and to ensure that their welfare will be protected. “You are the reason why today, the suffering ofVibram Five Fingers online the people will end,” Mr. Aquino told a crowd estimated by police officials at half a million people. “Here, on this day, ends the reign of a government that is MBT Shoes onlineindifferent to the complaints of the people,” Mr. Aquino said in his 21-minute speech. “There can be no reconciliation without justice.” “Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process ofair jordan shoes on sale providing true and complete justice for all,” Mr. Aquino said, referring to Leila de Lima, the former chairman of the Commission on Human Rights whom he named justice secretary. Ms. De Lima is widely known in the Philippines for her independence in investigating human rights abuses. Mr. Aquino had said that putting her at the Justice Department was crucial to Air Max shoes on salehis campaign to end corruption. One day earlier, he Aquino announced that he would create a commission to Nike Shox Shoes on saleinvestigate corruption scandals and allegations of human rights abuses under the Arroyo administration. Mr. Aquino, a bachelor who rose to the presidency on an outpouring ofair shox shoes on sale goodwill following the death last August of his mother, former President Corazon C. Aquino, promised to live up to her legacy as well as that of his father, Benigno S. Aquino Jr. His father, a fierce opponent of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was assassinated in 1983, unleashing what became known as the People Power revolution. He said the first step for him as the leader of nearly 90 million Filipinos is to Nike Basketball Shoes on saleensure an honest leadership. “I will do my best to become a good example. I will not put to waste the trust that you have given me,” Mr. Aquino said, adding: “I offer my life to make sure that every one of us will benefit from our democracy.” Mr. Aquino promised to address issues ranging from improving the quality of life of Filipinos to making sure that the country is a “predictable and consistent place for investment.” He said he would never allow his cars and convoy to Nike Air Force Shoes on saleuse sirens or run red lights, a promise that brought loud applause. Filipino politicians are known for using these sirens, offending ordinary citizens who view these as a sign of their abuse of power. On its way from Malacanang, the presidential palace, to the Quirino Grandstand by Manila Bay where the inauguration was held, Mr. Aquino’s convoy stopped at red lights. He inherits an economy whose growth in the past two decades has averaged only 3.7 percent, lower than most economies in Southeast Asia. Poverty is widespread, with one in every four Filipinos living on less than a dollar a day, according to the World Bank. A priority, his advisers had said, was how to reduce a ballooning budget deficit, which, at an estimated $6.4 billion this year, is nearly 4 percent of the country’s G.D.P. and one of the highest on record. MBT Shoes MBT Chapa MBT Mens Chapa MBT Womens Chapa MBT M.Walk