Noynoy Aquino

President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III was sworn at noontime Wednesday as the country's 15th Chief Executive by Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.

A few minutes earlier, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay was also sworn into office by Justice Carpio-Morales at the same venue.

Jesuit priest Fr. Catalino Arevalo held the Bible during Aquino's oath-taking. The vice president's wife, former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay, did the same during her husband's turn.

Aquino, at age 50, is one of the youngest presidents ever elected into office. His campaign color –- yellow –- is associated with his mother, the late President Corazon C. Aquino.

Aquino won in last May's automated polls by a landslide margin. He garnered more than 15 million votes, or about 5.7 million more than the votes of his closest political rival in the May 10 polls, former President Joseph Estrada.

Before Aquino and Binay were sworn in, a group of local artists serenaded the spectators with classic Filipino patriotic songs like "Bayan Ko," "Minamahal Kong Pilipinas," and the inauguration song titled "Bagong Pilipino."

The national anthem was sung by international Filipino singer Charice Pempengco who was wearing a black and yellow gown.

The inaugural song, meanwhile, was sung by Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Nina, the Apo Hiking Society, and Christian Bautista.

An ecumenical prayer was led by Archbishop Romulo Valles, Shiekh Hassan, and Bishop Jonel Millan.

Those present during the ceremony included former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada, outgoing Vice President Noli de Castro, members of the Supreme Court, President Aquino's sisters Pinky, Viel, Ballsy, and Kris and other close relatives, Binay's family, members of the diplomatic corps, other government officials, and supporters.

Among the many supporters who witnessed the momentous event were Rodolfo Aquino and his wife who came all the way from Barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City. Rodolfo works at the maintenance department of the United States Embassy.

”I come here to be part of a historical event of our time... I am not expecting too much from him but I hope that he cleans the bureaucracy,” he said.