Philippine Congress proclaimes Benigno Aquino III as new president

The Philippine Congress proclaimed Benigno Aquino III the country's new president amid high hopes he will fulfil his campaign promise and restore trust in government. "On the part of the Senate, we hereby proclaim Benigno Simeon Cojuanco Aquino III, (clapping) and Jejomar Cabauatan Binay as the duly elected President and Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines." (bangs gavel) A joint session by the Senate and House of Representatives voted to formalise the landslide victory of the son of the country's revered democracy icons - Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino. The official count showed Aquino defeated his eight rivals by more than 15 million votes. "On behalf of the Filipino nation, the House and the people, we offer our warmest congratulations to the newly elected President of the Republic of the Philippines." He will take his oath as the country's 15th president on June 30, succeeding Gloria Arroyo whose nine-year rule has been wracked by four coup attempts by mutinous troops, and allegations of election fraud, corruption scandals and human rights abuses. Aquino, a quiet legislator who served nine years as a congressman and three years as senator, will inherit a nation grappling with poverty and debilitated by decades-long Marxist and Muslim insurgencies, military unrest, corruption, violent crime and political strife. "My mother proposed reconciliation with justice. I've had a lot of promises in the campaign especially the idea of change. It cannot be business as usual if we are going to just replace people like in a game of musical chairs, I think I would have disappointed everybody who made this victory possible. Therefore, there has to be closure on so many issues." The 50-year-old bachelor, campaigned largely on his family name and promised to follow the legacy of his parents, who are regarded as heroes in the country's struggle against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. http://uk.asiancorrespondent.com/video/philippine-congress-proclaimes-beni.htm