Malacanang, July 1, 2010 - President Benigno Aquino III's good luck charm, if he has Manila, July 1, 2010 - President Benigno Aquino III yesterday vowed that his 6-year term will be the "Time of the Common People" as he pledged to use the powers of the presidency to give the "masa" (common people) a fairer share int he national wealth and a bigger stake in their own country.
"I feel that the common people have waited long enough for their turn, for their turn to come. That day is here, it is now the turn of the masses to experience liberation," he declared in his inaugural address, delivered in Tagalog before the biggest crowd ever gathered at the Rizal Park.
Various estimates placed the size of the crowd at between one and three million, shadowing the number gathered the late Cory Aquino and Cardinal Sin for their anti-Charter change rally. It approximated the throngs that greeted Pope John Paul II's last visit to Manila.
In his speech, He vowed to make the poor the first to benefit from whatever economic gains his administration would achieve, saying the past administrations had focused more on stabilizing the economy and ensuring a conducive climate for business.
"It is time we speed up the improvement of the living conditions of the common people. In the six years of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the economy was paying big dividends to its biggest shareholders. This time, why not to the common people as well for a change? Must we always measure progress only by the golf courses of the rich?" Aquino III said. "Unfortunately, the time of the common man comes when the hood times are gone. But this time, things will be different. What wealth will be generated will be more equitably shared. What sacrifices are demanded will be more evenly carried."
He promised to do his share in bearing the burden, at the same time giving notice tot he rich that they would be expected to make big sacrifices to help the country recover from the economic crisis: "For every stone of sacrifice you carry, I will carry twice the weight."
"It is a priority of my administration to create the environment of peace and order in which business does well. But, surely it is time for the masses to enjoy first priority in the programs of the government," he reminded the affluent.
He also vowed to use all his powers to stamp out crime, big and small.
"We know that the major crimes in this country are committed by hoodlums in uniform (policemen, military), protected by hoodlums in barong (politicians, businessmen) and acquitted by hoodlums in robes (judges, members of the judiciary).
Under his government, Aquino III said, "there will be no excuses, no exception" in prosecuting criminals. Referring to his term as head of the anti-crime body which the Macapagal-Arroyo administration cut short, Aquino III said ominously: "This time, nobody, nobody, and nobody will clip my powers."
He warned favor-seekers not to use their connection with him, his friends, or members of his family to get what they want from his government, and appealed to congressmen to use their pork barrel funds for tuition subsidies.
"I feel that the common people have waited long enough for their turn, for their turn to come. That day is here, it is now the turn of the masses to experience liberation," he declared in his inaugural address, delivered in Tagalog before the biggest crowd ever gathered at the Rizal Park.
Various estimates placed the size of the crowd at between one and three million, shadowing the number gathered the late Cory Aquino and Cardinal Sin for their anti-Charter change rally. It approximated the throngs that greeted Pope John Paul II's last visit to Manila.
In his speech, He vowed to make the poor the first to benefit from whatever economic gains his administration would achieve, saying the past administrations had focused more on stabilizing the economy and ensuring a conducive climate for business.
"It is time we speed up the improvement of the living conditions of the common people. In the six years of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the economy was paying big dividends to its biggest shareholders. This time, why not to the common people as well for a change? Must we always measure progress only by the golf courses of the rich?" Aquino III said. "Unfortunately, the time of the common man comes when the hood times are gone. But this time, things will be different. What wealth will be generated will be more equitably shared. What sacrifices are demanded will be more evenly carried."
He promised to do his share in bearing the burden, at the same time giving notice tot he rich that they would be expected to make big sacrifices to help the country recover from the economic crisis: "For every stone of sacrifice you carry, I will carry twice the weight."
"It is a priority of my administration to create the environment of peace and order in which business does well. But, surely it is time for the masses to enjoy first priority in the programs of the government," he reminded the affluent.
He also vowed to use all his powers to stamp out crime, big and small.
"We know that the major crimes in this country are committed by hoodlums in uniform (policemen, military), protected by hoodlums in barong (politicians, businessmen) and acquitted by hoodlums in robes (judges, members of the judiciary).
Under his government, Aquino III said, "there will be no excuses, no exception" in prosecuting criminals. Referring to his term as head of the anti-crime body which the Macapagal-Arroyo administration cut short, Aquino III said ominously: "This time, nobody, nobody, and nobody will clip my powers."
He warned favor-seekers not to use their connection with him, his friends, or members of his family to get what they want from his government, and appealed to congressmen to use their pork barrel funds for tuition subsidies.
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