‘KUNG walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” The voting public must have loved this quote, the campaign slogan of then-Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel Roxas II, who ran for the Philippine government’s leadership in the 2010 elections.
This five-word slogan has earned the people’s trust and renewed their hope for reforms in governance. Coupled with then revitalized “yellow fever” brought about by the death of former President Corazon C. Aquino, Noynoy eventually became the 15th President of the Republic.
As expected, a sea of yellow-clad supporters witnessed the inauguration of Noynoy, the son of democracy icons Corazon and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., at the historic Quirino Grandstand in Manila at 12 noon of June 30, 2010.
Mr. Aquino took his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.
President Aquino had been serving as senator since 2007 before he was ushered into the presidential race following the death of his mother. During his campaign, he vowed to eradicate corrupt practices that triggered several scandals during the previous administration.
In his inaugural speech rendered mostly in Filipino, Mr. Aquino vowed to “end bad governance” and set an example in getting rid of corruption in public administration.
He said his campaign slogan of “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” was not only “pang-slogan o pang-poster” but would serve as the basis of the Aquino administration.
“Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo,” he said.
In January 2011, the corruption slogan won the Gold Standard Award for Political Communications in the PublicAffairsAsia, a network of senior government relations, public affairs and corporate communications professionals operating across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Philippine President received the award in Hong Kong over the Minister Mentor and first Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Asean Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, and Indonesian Politician Anas Urbaningrum.
PublicAffairsAsia Executive Director Craig Hoy said: “These awards celebrate the achievements of corporations, governments and NGO’s [non-governmental organization] and identify those professionals, consultancies and governmental figures who are driving this important process of engagement and partnership in Asia Pacific.”
His path to presidency
The official web site of the President, https://president.gov.ph, said that the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines has come to stand for Filipinos’ reinvigorated passion to build a nation of justice, peace and inclusive progress. In 1998 President Aquino entered public service to make sure that the democracy his parents fought for would bring changes in people’s lives. He served as representative of the Second District of Tarlac from 1998 to 2007. In May 2007, he joined the Philippine Senate, wherein he worked to bring about legislative initiatives anchored on the protection of human rights, and honest and responsible governance.
His mother’s death in 2009 prompted mourning from all over the country. It also awakened a remembrance of the values she stood for and stirred up the people’s yearning for a leadership that is honest and compassionate, and a nation that trusts and works with its government.
Immediately after her wake, people began to call on President Aquino, urging him to run for presidency in the 2010 elections to continue his parents’ work. Signature drives and an outpouring of support through yellow ribbons and stickers went full blast, convincing him to run. Moreover, candidates for president, such as Roxas, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio, and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca gave up their presidential aspirations to support Mr. Aquino.
After a spiritual retreat at the Carmellite Monastery in Zamboanga City, President Aquino responded to the call to make the people’s passion for change the driving force behind a new government. On September 9, 2009, the 40th day after Cory’s passing, he officially announced his candidacy for president at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan—where his mother took oath on the final day of the Edsa People Power Revolution. “I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and well connected but for everybody,” he said.
On June 9, 2010, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Mr. Aquino as the president elect of the Philippines. In his inaugural address, he told the Filipino people: “We are here to serve, and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.”
‘Tayo na sa matuwid na landas.’
Most everyone else sweated it out at the Luneta Park, braving the early-morning rain and the sweltering heat that followed on the President’s inaugural.
Thousands of people, most of them clad in the Aquinos’ signature yellow color, stood in front of the Quirino Grandstand and cheered every word the new President uttered.
“Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations,” he said.
‘Tayo na sa matuwid na landas,’ he concluded his speech.
With the recent challenges in the presidency and leadership of President Aquino, his “bosses,” supporters and non-supporters alike eagerly await for the fulfillment of the promise for the right and straight path.
“My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on the right path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for change,” President Aquino’s official biography said.
The BusinessMirror joins the nation in greeting Aquino on this special day. Happy birthday, Mr. President!