Photos

MILITANT groups welcomed President Benigno Aquino III along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City with a rally, as they have done with previous presidents, every fourth Monday of July.

Aquino passed through Commonwealth en route to the Batasan Pambansa Complex where both Houses of Congress assembled to listen to him deliver his first State of the Nation Address.

In his speech, Aquino said his government was inheriting empty coffers, and government corporations whose board members were fat cats who rewarded themselves with huge compensation packages.

But leaders of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and affiliated groups were disappointed at what they called his lack of vision and long term solutions to the country’s pressing problems.

VERA Files’ Mario Ignacio mingled with the protesters and filed these photos.

BENIGNO Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III took his oath of office as 15th president of the Philippines at noon today, taking over the reins of government from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a smooth and peaceful transfer of power.

The inaugural ceremonies were held at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, with Aquino’s sisters and their families standing by him as he was sworn into office.

Two former presidents—Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada—in attendance, as were members of the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, congressmen, senators, and showbiz personalities.

About  500,000 Filipinos filled the area in front of the grandstand.

VERA Files’ Mario Ignacio covered the event and filed these photos:
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VERA Files’ Mario Ignacio shares his photos of incoming President Benigno Aquino III’s press conference earlier today:

IT’S official: The Philippines has a new president and vice president.

On Wednesday afternoon, Congress proclaimed Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay winners in the May 10 presidential and vice presidential races, capping eight days of canvassing votes cast in the country’s first nationwide automated elections.

VERA Files’ Mario Ignacio captures the jubilant mood in the halls of the House of Representatives in the following photos:

Text and photos by MARIO IGNACIO

THE Commission on Elections proclaimed nine winning senators Saturdays at the Philippine International Convention Center. In attendance were Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pia Cayetano, Tito Sotto, and Ralph Recto. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Franklin Drilon did not attend the ceremonies.

It used to take weeks before the results of voting is known in the hinterland towns of Abra such as Tineg, some parts of which are accessible only by foot.  After Monday’s election, results were out in a matter of days.

Bangued-based journalist visited Tineg with the Diocese of Abra’s roving team and took the pictures below.

VERA Files’ Mario Ignacio took pictures of what it was like shortly before voting began at 7 a.m. today.  The shots are from the SSS Elementary School in Marikina City.

Text and photos by MARIO IGNACIO

THE Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) of the Commission on Elections held its “Final Test and Sealing” of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in Marikina, Makati and Parañaque precincts Thursday.

At Parang Elementary School in Marikina City, a mock election with 10 voters per cluster of precincts was held at the field test. After the printing of the election results, a manual count was conducted to check the accuracy of the PCOS machines. The manual count tallied with the results from the PCOS machines.

One of the 20 PCOS machines at the school malfunctioned while printing the elections results.

Below are the images from the final testing.
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FORMER president Joseph Estrada spent Labor Day with about 10,000 people who flocked to his rally at Nueve de Pebrero and Martinez Streets in Mandaluyong City.

Estrada showed up with him teammates: running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and senatorial candidates JV Bautista, Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza, Apolinarion “Jun” Lozada, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, Francisco “Kit” Tatad, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Jinggoy Estrada.

VERA Files‘ Mario Ignacio was at the rally and shares his photos:
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By ELLEN TORDESILLAS

CAVITE CITY.—Former President Joseph Estrada  of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) showed  he has not lost his “masa “ appeal despite having been ousted from power and convicted of plunder.

About 5,000 people on Tuesday  crammed the vacant lot in front of the public market here to hear  Estrada, who turned 73 the day before, vow to recapture Malacañang in this year’s elections.
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