Guests euphoric with Aquino and Binay's proclamation as president and vice president

Manila: Thousands of guests were euphoric as Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay were proclaimed as Philippine president and vice-president during the joint session of Congress at the House of Representatives.

"Noy-Bi, Noy-Bi" (short for Noynoy and Binay) echoed across the hall as the two winning candidates and their relatives ascended the rostrum and faced the cheering crowd.

"Cory, Cory," was faintly heard, in reference to Aquino's mother, democratic icon Corazon Aquino whose death last August catapulted her shy and unassuming into running for president.

Benigno Aquino declared during his campaign that his purpose would be to stem his country's culture of corruption and violence.

However after his proclamation he extended the hand of reconciliation to his political enemies.

"The campaign period was very bruising," said Aquino, adding that he had made an appointment with outgoing President Gloria Arroyo. He also said he had exchanged text messages with Governor-elect Imee Marcos, daughter of his mother's political enemy, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos whose ousting in 1986 catapulted his mother into the presidency in 1986.

"My mother proposed reconciliation in justice," Aquino said. [Now] I am focused to do everything you can for the majority of the people. At the end of the day, I think about the benefit of the majority of the people."

When talking about Arroyo whom he had accused earlier of corruption, Aquino said: "We asked for several interviews with her, we don't want her to wait."

Talking about his first priority, Aquino said: "I want a free hand in reorganising and in composing my official family".

He was yet to determine if he would terminate 1,000 or 2,000 appointees of outgoing president Arroyo.When asked if he would allow Vice-President Binay to become the secretary of local government, Aquino said: "I have several candidates for that position".

However, Aquino readily promised to give a cabinet post to his vice-presidential candidate Mar Roxas in a year's time, following a constitutional ban on those who ran for election last May.

When asked to name his cabinet members, Aquino said: "They will be my alter-ego. We will try to get the best people, those who have proven their capabilities and have no skeletons in their closets."