News update Public pledge of support for President Aquino

For the first time in Philippine history, Filipinos recited a pledge of support to a new administration.

In unison, several sectoral representatives led the recital of the "Panata sa Pagbabago" (Pledge for change), after Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III took his oath as the 15th president of the Philippines at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta on Wednesday noon.

Inauguration spokesman Manolo Quezon III said the pledge is an "innovation" of the 2010 inaugural ceremonies.

"It is meant to respond to the President’s inaugural address by volunteers and the public at large pledging their support and participation in the democratic governance of the nation," Quezon said on his blog.

The pledge, composed by Sonny Coloma and Marian Pastor Roces, goes: Pilipino ako Namamanata Na tutulong ako sa ating pamunuan Sa pagtataguyod ng marangal na pamamahala Sa pagpapalakas ng isang lipunang makatarungan At sa pagpapatingkad ng ating demokrasya.

Upang guminhawa ang pinakamamahal nating bayang Pilipinas Gagampanan ko Ang lahat ng katungkulan Ng isang mabuting mamamayan Na kasing-tindi ng paghamon ko sa ating mga pinuno Na sumunod sa landas na matuwid.

Makikipag-kapit-isig ako sa aking kapwa Pilipino Sama-sama nating babaguhin Ang takbo nh kasaysayan upang umiral ang kagandahang-loob. Ipinangangako ko ito sa ngalan ng aking ga ninuno at mga apo Patnubyan nawa ng Poong Maykapal ang sambayanan.After the pledge, the honor guard presented arms while service commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police greeted Aquino as their new president and commander-in-chief.

Aquino was to go to Malacañang, where the induction of his new Cabinet will be conducted. — Kimberly Jane Tan/LBG/RSJ