Aquino remains undecided on official residence

By KRIS BAYOS
June 24, 2010, 8:54pm

President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III on Thursday remained undecided on his official residence, adding that he will still go home on Times Street, West Triangle in Quezon City after his inauguration on June 30.

This was the reaction made by members of Aquino's inaugural committee who briefed journalists on the June 30 historic event.

"After the day is over, I think he will still go home to Times Street while the official residence is being prepared," said Sonny Coloma, during a press briefing at the PiNoy Lawyers for Noynoy Aquino headquarters in Quezon City.

Aquino, 50, has earlier said that he is focused on three options, including that of Bahay Pangarap which is located inside the compound of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). It is also the venue where President Arroyo receives important guests.

The two other options were the Goldenberg Mansion, also near the Palace, and the Premier Guest House, where former President Estrada stayed.

Aquino said that despite the new residence, he will still go to Times Street “from time to time.’’ He also said that he will transfer residence to spare his neighbors from rallies.

On Wednesday, June 30, Aquino's day will leave his residence at about 9:45 a.m. to fetch outgoing President Arroyo in Malacañang for the traditional limousine ride to Quirino Grandstand.

While en route to Malacañang, foreign dignitaries and important guests will start to assemble at the Quirino Grandstand starting at 9 a.m.

Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay is expected to arrive at the venue at about 10 a.m., just before Aquino and Arroyo arrive at around 10:45 a.m. The incoming and outgoing Presidents will ride the Presidential car with plate number 1.

On arrival at the Quirino Grandstand, Arroyo will be given full military honors, which will last for only five minutes before she finally departs the inaugural venue aboard her personal car. She will go straight to Pampanga for her oath-taking as incoming congressman for the province's second district.

The formal ceremony will start with the 11 a.m. singing of the national anthem followed by musical ensembles from several artists.

At 11:35 a.m., outgoing Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile will read the results of the 2010 national elections. It will be followed by the oath-taking of Binay before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales.

At 12 noon, Morales will administer the oath to Aquino as mandated by the Constitution. He will thereafter deliver an inaugural speech, which he promised to be very brief.

Moments later, he will lead a pledge of allegiance with some 100,000 campaign volunteers who helped him propel to Malacañang.

At 1 p.m., Aquino and Binay will leave the Quirino Grandstand for a 1:15 p.m. private lunch with the incoming Cabinet officials at the Kalayaan Hall.

The mass oath-taking of Cabinet officials will be held at the Rizal Hall by 2:30 p.m. before the first Cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Hall takes place at 3:30 p.m.

At 6 p.m., Aquino will be hosting an inaugural reception for the Diplomatic Corps. At 7:30, he will deliver a short speech before initiating the inaugural toast.

Aquino will have a personal time for himself by 8 p.m. Then he leaves the Palace at 9 p.m. for the street-party at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. He is expected to arrive at the party venue by 9:20 p.m. and stay until he performs his own version of the Mandela dance.