Aquino's deputy sore over key post

Manila: Philippines President-elect Benigno Aquino has appointed himself Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), a post coveted by Vice-President-elect Jejomar Binay.

Last week, Binay rejected three cabinet posts offered to him by Aquino.

Observers said it was a "bad start" for the president and vice-president, adding that the "soured relations" might worsen since they don't belong to the same political party.

Binay will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the president and vice-president at the Quirnino Grandstand in Manila's Luneta Park today, but will give Aquino's inauguration — to be celebrated with a street party at Quezon Memorial Park from 4pm to midnight today — a miss.

Aquino and Binay will be sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, not by Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, something that has created friction between the executive and judiciary because the chief justice traditionally swears in the president. Aquino has refused to recognise Corona's appointment by Gloria Arroyo.

Oliver Lozano, a lawyer, has filed a complaint before the ombudsman, saying Aquino's refusal to be sworn in by Corona created a "division" in the country. Corona and several associate justices will not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Outgoing President Gloria Arroyo will today join Aquino for a brief ride from Malacanang, the presidential palace, to the Luneta Park. She will attend a brief turn-over ceremony, but not the swearing-in ceremony.