30 June 2010, Manila, Philippines – At 12 noon of 30 June 2010, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuanco Aquino III took his oath of office as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Popularly known as Noynoy, the 50 year old bachelor assumed presidency of the Republic after his overwhelming victory in the last automated national elections held in May 2010. He won the presidential race with more than 15 million (42% of the ballot cast) Filipinos worldwide voting for him. His winning margin in this election was over 5 million votes. The 42% percentage figure of the votes is the highest plurality since the restoration of democracy, and under the 1987 Constitution.
An estimate of at least half a million Filipinos coming from different sectors of the society wearing yellow and waving the Philippine flag went to the Luneta Park to witness his inauguration. High level delegations from different countries also attended his historic inauguration. It has long been a tradition in the country that elected Presidents took their oaths at the Luneta Park where the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal took place.
His inaugural address received overwhelming applause from the public. Speaking in Filipino and English, the President vowed, among others, to ensure good governance by fighting graft and corruption in the government, address the ballooning budget deficit and to deliver efficient services to the Filipino people. He promised to provide the Filipino people with quality education, improved public health services and a home for every family in a safer community. He also said that his government will continue to defend freedom and democracy and envisions to bequeath a better future to the next generation.
Born on February 8, 1960 in Manila, he is a fourth-generation politician: his great-grandfather, Servillano "Mianong" Aquino, served as a delegate to the Malolos Congress; his grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr., held several legislative positions from 1919–44; and his parents were former President Corazon Aquino and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 and joined his family in their exile in the United States shortly thereafter. He returned to the Philippines in 1983 shortly after the assassination of his father and held several positions working in the private sector.
He joined the Philippine political arena in 1998 when he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province and subsequently re-elected to the House in 2001 and 2004. He also became the Deputy Speaker (House of Representatives) on 8 November 2004 but relinquished said post in February 2006 after joining the Liberal Party. In 2007, he was elected to the Senate in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.
His legislative agenda in the House of Representatives and in the Senate remained always focused on the fight against graft and corruption, general welfare of workers, public infrastructure, and others.