Cory Aquino forms new government
THE FILIPINO nation yesterday installed a housewife as the seventh President of the Philippine republic.
In her acceptance speech following a mandate made more significant by the presence of a throng of supporters at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino pledged a government dedicated to “truth and justice, morality and decency, freedom and democracy.”
During the historic occasion, Salvador H. Laurel was sworn in as vice president of the republic. Laurel was also appointed prime minister, the first government portfolio Ms. Aquino filled in forming her Cabinet.
Declaring that “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,” Ms. Aquino, fitted in her familiar yellow dress, was sworn in by Justice Claudio Teehankee. She arrived at 10:15 a.m. for the eventful day that put an end to her housewife image and plodded through a throng of supporters crowded six feet deep and flashing the “Laban” sign.
MP Neptali Gonzales read the resolution proclaiming Ms. Aquino and her running mate as the duly-elected president and vice president, respectively.
The resolution further read it was nullifying the proclamation by the Batasang Pambansa of President Ferdinand Marcos and MP Arturo Tolentino as president and vice president respectively.
After being sworn in, President Aquino named Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, whom she promoted to full general, as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and Juan Ponce Enrile as Defense Minister.
Atty. Rene Saguisag, the president’s official spokesman, said the new government is a constitutional de jure and permanent government and not a provisional government as has been misconstrued by some quarters.
Vice President Laurel was sworn in by Senior Justice Vicente Abad Santos.
After their oath-taking, Ms. Aquino said: “On the basis of the people’s mandate clearly manifested last February 7, I and Salvador H. Laurel are taking power in the name and by the will of the Filipino people as President and Vice President, respectively.”
In her first Executive Order, President Aquino asked all in the civil service to stay put.
She said those who have not done anything against the interests of the people have nothing to fear. “I ask that you preserve all records with care,” the president said.
She stressed the people expect a reorganization of government, and merit will be rewarded.
The President also asked all public officials to resign, beginning with the Supreme Court justices.
Vowing to give justice to the victims of human rights violations, the President asked the people not to relax but to be more vigilant in “one moment of triumph.”
‘‘The Motherland cannot thank them enough. Yet we all realize that more is required of each and everyone of us to redeem our promises and prove to create a truly just society for our people,” President Aquino stressed.
Saying “this is just the beginning,” the President said “the same spirit which animated our campaign, and has led to our triumph, will once more prevail, by the power of the people and by the grace of God.”
